Skip to main content

Spark EV launches telematics solution to remove range anxiety for EV fleet operators

November 23, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Spark EV has launched its new artificial intelligence-based journey prediction telematics solution in Cambridge UK to reassure fleet managers moving to electric vehicles (EVs) that they will be able to schedule and complete jobs without running out of charge. It is designed with the intention of reducing range anxiety for managers and increasing the number of potential journeys by 2.8 per day.  


The solution uses a combination of sensor technology, cloud-based machine learning analysis software and a smartphone app to analyse live driver, vehicle and other data sources such as the weather and congestion. It then uses AI software algorithms to increase the accuracy of journey predictions for EVs. Using machine learning, Spark EV automatically updates predictions after each journey to continually improve efficiency.

Drivers and fleet managers enter their journey through the Spark EV app, web interface, or their existing fleet management software, and it advises whether they will be able to complete it, based on live data, previous trips and ChargePoint locations. The solution also allows managers to add extra journeys or drop-offs to EV routes, based on their remaining capacity.

Available as a monthly subscription model, Spark EV integrates with existing fleet management/scheduling systems through its open API, or can be used as a standalone solution for smaller fleets and can be installed with all current EVs.

Justin Ott, chief executive officer, Spark EV Technology, said: “Fleet managers understand that the future increasingly revolves around electric vehicles, due to new legislation coming into force around the world, a move away from diesel and rapid growth in EV sales. However, existing methods of predicting range between charges are not accurate enough for fleet use, leading to range anxiety and a consequent drop in productivity as managers cut back the number of journeys to avoid potentially running out of power.”

Related Content

  • January 23, 2012
    Open-source journey planning - the way forward?
    Peter Bell, managing director of journey planning provider Trapeze Group, ponders the business models which will underpin future travel information services from a UK perspective Traditionally, journey planning websites for public transport in the UK (for example, Transport Direct, the Traveline regions or National Rail Enquiries) have been provided by the transport operators keen to increase ridership and revenues, or by public bodies who hope to encourage a modal switch to public transport by making it e
  • October 28, 2015
    When caring about sharing is good business for US automakers
    Although car-sharing and ride-sharing could drastically reduce car sales, David Crawford finds some US automakers are keen to participate in the sharing economy. Growing consumer interest in car- and ride-sharing, as opposed to outright ownership, and ride-sharer Uber’s recently stated intention to make its brand competitive with ownership on cost, are making the major US automotive manufacturers think seriously about their future sales prospects. Some have already begun exploring ways of entering the field
  • November 22, 2012
    ‘Quick charger’ for electric vehicles
    UK company Chargepoint Services has partnered with France-based DBT to distribute their Rapid Charge Unit for electric vehicles. The DC chargers can recharge an electric vehicle, such as the Nissan Leaf, to approximately 80 per cent battery capacity in just 20-30 minutes, but costs around 60% less than other rapid chargers currently on the market today. The company says this could help revolutionise electric vehicle travel, making longer journeys “range-anxiety free” by bringing refuelling times closer to
  • January 5, 2016
    Machine vision takes ITS further than the eye can see
    Vitronic’s John Yalda looks at how machine vision has become an integral part of many ITS deployments and why it complements, rather than replaces, ANPR. New and conventional business concepts like online shopping and mail order business are becoming more established in the cultures of fast-growing economies and increasing the demand for flexibility in the freight transportation and logistics industry. Road transport has become the preferred infrastructure for freight forwarding and several studies predict