National EV Week: Understanding Total Cost of Operation for vehicles and fleets
UK corporate fleet professionals must optimise costs while meeting evolving regulations and sustainability goals.
Traditional procurement often focuses on purchase price, overlooking hidden costs like downtime and inefficient vehicle use. Ayvens’ TCO+ Insights addresses this by providing data-driven tools that reveal the true Total Cost of Operation (TCO), helping organisations make informed, efficient, and sustainable fleet decisions.
What is TCO+?
TCO+ Insights is a suite of Ayvens tools and reports designed to provide full visibility over fleet selection, cost analysis and performance insights. These tools have been based on our Consultancy and Insights Team’s deep knowledge of, and insight into, operating vehicle fleets. We have then overlayed millions of data points produced by operating the one of the UK’s largest leased vehicle fleets.
Key tools in TCO+ Insights
Van Finder – Vehicle Selection
Refines vehicle choices by specifications like body type, manufacturer, payload, battery range and operational need. Ideal for teams new to fleet purchasing, it reduces incorrect selections and higher operational in-life costs.
Technical Identifiers – Vehicle Fit
The Technical Identifiers tool allows users to define vehicle requirements based on payload, towing capacity, fuel economy, emissions and dimensions. Without detailed technical specs, procurement fails to capture true operational needs, which can lead to hidden costs from inefficient vehicles.
Maintenance Insights – Downtime & OEM Performance
Allows organisations to analyse manufacturer performance at a dealership level, so they can track downtime, service efficiency and the total maintenance impact on fleet operations. Poor local support raises downtime and costs. This tool factors dealership performance into procurement, minimising hidden in-life costs.
Charger ROI Calculator – Home vs Public Charging
Charging infrastructure has a major impact on TCO and operational costs. The tool quantifies return on Investment (ROI) for home/workplace chargers versus public charging, incorporating local energy rates and usage enabling data-driven procurement decisions.
Miles per Kilowatt-hour vs Miles per Gallon
Converts MPG and MpKWh to pence-per-mile, simplifying EV vs ICE cost comparisons. By translating everything into pence per mile, this tool provides a clear, data-driven comparison that helps companies make smarter procurement decisions
EV Charging Downtime Analysis
Compares downtime costs per charge and per mile between EV models, revealing hidden costs of slower charging. EV selection shouldn’t be based on range alone, as charging speed has a significant impact on operational costs
Downtime Performance Insights
Benchmarks manufacturer and model reliability using nearly 900,000 Ayvens maintenance events, helping fleets select vehicles with low downtime and high availability, reducing hidden costs.
Telematics Analysis – Real-World Usage
The tool breaks down daily mileage patterns, showing actual use. Many fleets overestimate mileage, overspending on long-range EVs. Real data helps optimise procurement and reduce costs.
Electric Van Journey Profiling
Assesses usage, energy, charging costs, winter range reductions, and public charging reliance. Helps match vehicles to duty cycles, plan infrastructure, minimise costly public charging, and avoid downtime.
When to Flex? – Flexible Rental Solutions
Balances leasing and rental amid fluctuating demand. Prevents over-leasing, supports EV trials, and cuts early termination or unused vehicle costs. Our aim is to help companies make smarter procurement decisions.
Summary
Using TCO+ Insights and Ayvens Consultancy enables companies to:
- Define exact vehicle requirements to avoid costly errors
- Select vehicles aligned with real-world needs for efficiency
- Reduce hidden costs from downtime, charging inefficiencies, and over-specification
- Make data-driven procurement decisions, maximising value and sustainability.
At Ayvens, we deliver tailored solutions that grow with your business. For a free consultation, visit our website ayvens.com or contact newbusiness.uk@ayvens.com
Download our whitepaper: 14772-research-paper-ayvens-uptime.pdf
- elementalLONDON is supporting National EV Week, a comprehensive webinar and feature programme, taking place on 1-5 December. More details here
