Fleet maintenance
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5 MIN READ
EV ownership in India 2025: How to manage and maintain your commercial electric vehicles
Are you planning to buy an EV for your fleet business? Already own a few? Or still figuring out how to manage them in the long run?
Many fleet operators in India struggle on how to keep their EVs running safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. With India’s roads, charging gaps, and daily business pressures, you need a proper plan to get the most out of your vehicles.
This article will guide you through simple steps to manage your EVs in 2025 – so that your investment stays safe and gives you maximum returns.
Best practices for EV owners & small fleets
You don’t need to be a data expert to take care of EVs. But tracking early warning signs can save you money, time, and stress.
Battery care
The battery is the heart of an EV. It makes up almost 30–40% of the total cost of the vehicle. Taking care of it means your EV will last longer and cost less to maintain.
Do’s for battery health:
- Keep charge between 20%-80% for daily use.
- Prefer slow/overnight charging. Use fast charging only when urgent.
- Follow a regular charging routine.
- Park vehicles in cool or shaded areas to protect the battery.
- Use telematics/IoT data to check battery health regularly.
Preventive maintenance
Preventive maintenance means fixing problems before they become big. This improves vehicle run-time, avoids unplanned breakdowns, and saves money.
Do’s for preventive care:
- Follow the manufacturer’s service schedule without delay.
- Rotate and align tires every 8,000-10,000 km.
- Inspect brakes regularly (regen braking reduces wear, but rust can build up).
- Check high-voltage cables, connectors, and cooling systems.
- Always keep the software updated.
Driver training & behavior
Drivers play a key role in keeping EVs healthy. A trained driver can improve range, reduce costs, and extend vehicle life.
Do’s for drivers:
- Avoid harsh acceleration and sudden braking.
- Do not overload vehicles.
- Use regenerative braking smartly.
- Avoid keeping AC / heater on while the vehicle is not in use.
- Maintain steady speeds to save energy.
Fleet management
Managing multiple EVs is not easy. But with the right tools, you can keep them efficient and reliable.
Do’s for smart fleet management:
- Use telematics to track charging, energy use, and driver behavior.
- Monitor drivers’ charging and driving habits, and give them feedback.
- Use data (not just odometer readings) to know when parts or batteries need care.
- Always keep backup chargers and routes ready to avoid downtime.
- Use fleet health reports to get better insurance or financing deals
EV ownership challenges in India
Even with government support, EV adoption in India faces hurdles:
- Charger gap: By early 2025, India had ~26,000 public charging stations – just one for every 235 EVs.
- Low adoption: In 2024, EV penetration in India was only ~7.66% compared to ~16.5% globally.
- User anxiety: 51% of EV owners (personal + commercial) said they might switch back to petrol/diesel due to charging issues.
- Financing hurdles: Banks remain cautious because of doubts about battery life and resale value, making it tough for small operators to get loans.
This is why NBFCs like GoGreen Capital and fintechs like TapFin are stepping in. By using real-time vehicle data, they provide faster, flexible financing to fleet operators. With platforms like FleetForce, operators can also track vehicle health, usage, and costs in detail – giving lenders more confidence and helping fleets access loans on better terms.
How FMS (Fleet Management System) helps
The best decisions aren’t based on what happened last month—they’re based on what could happen next.
With predictive tools built into your FMS, you can simulate scenarios like:
- How battery performance will degrade over time
- What happens to profitability if you add or remove charging stops
- How seasonal weather changes affect route economics
These insights help you plan proactively rather than reactively.
How FleetForce simplifies EV fleet operations
FleetForce by TapFin is built for Indian conditions and EV challenges:
- Charger integration: Book slots in real-time, avoid waiting.
- Predictive maintenance: Spot battery issues before they become costly.
- Optimized routes: Save energy by avoiding traffic and unreliable chargers.
- Audit-ready reports: Easy access to financing and insurance.
- Driver insights: Improve habits, reduce wear and tear.
With FleetForce, fleet operators see lower downtime, better efficiency, and healthier EVs.
Final word
Managing EVs in India is not just about plugging them in. It’s about care, discipline, and smart tools. By following preventive practices and using platforms like FleetForce, you can run your fleet with confidence – reducing costs and increasing returns.
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