Siemens launches new tool for managing fleets efficiently.

Siemens introduces a revolutionary Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution in the UK, aiming to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) landscape. This innovative service encompasses the design, installation, management, and financing of electric charging infrastructure, along with fleet and energy management solutions tailored for fleet businesses.

Named Depot360, this groundbreaking service is designed to fast-track the transition to EVs by removing barriers that impede fleet electrification. Whether you are a bus operator, haulage company, or any other fleet business, Depot360 offers the option to outsource the deployment and maintenance of charging infrastructure to a single provider without any upfront costs. Businesses can benefit from this service through a convenient monthly payment plan, ensuring predictability in budgeting.

Siemens envisions its end-to-end approach to mitigate cost, resource, and skills barriers associated with deploying EV charging infrastructure. By doing so, fleet operators can accelerate their electrification efforts, especially with the impending 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars expected under the new Labour government.

The Depot360 portfolio is versatile and can be customized to cater to the specific needs of different fleet operators, including logistics vans, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), municipal transit buses, and private bus depots. The initial offerings from the Depot360 portfolio include Depot360 CaaS and Depot360 Managed Services, all part of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform that drives digital transformation.

Depot360 CaaS:
Depot360 CaaS offers customers consultation and financial support for depot design, construction, commissioning, and management. Leveraging intelligent planning, this service addresses fleet size, grid connection, charging infrastructure, depot and energy management software, and ongoing maintenance.

Depot360 Managed Services:
Depot360 Managed Services focuses on optimizing charging, fleet, and energy infrastructure through data-informed management and preventive maintenance. By integrating with telematics, this service ensures that all vehicles maintain the necessary charge levels to complete their designated routes, thus minimizing downtime and maximizing fleet availability.

The cornerstone of Managed Services is the energy management and optimization platform, Depot360 AI. This platform enables Siemens’ expert team at the 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC) to utilize fleet-centric algorithms to monitor and manage charging infrastructure performance proactively. By making data-driven decisions, they can identify and resolve issues to enhance fleet operations, providing transparency and efficiency. This service is also available as a standalone option for both Siemens and non-Siemens charging infrastructure.

Bernard Magee, the managing director for eMobility at Siemens, emphasized the significance of Depot360 in addressing the primary barriers faced by fleet organizations in electrification. He highlighted the hurdles of upfront investment costs and the time and skills required for managing the installation, maintenance, and optimization of charging infrastructure and operations.

Magee stated, “We understand the importance of adopting a collaborative approach to business models to make electrification more accessible. At our Transform 2024 conference, it’s evident that Charging-as-a-Service models like Depot360 are pivotal in achieving a widespread adoption of electrified transport within the next decade.”