How does equipment telematics data improve electric fleet management decisions?

Equipment telematics data provides terminal operators with detailed, real-time information about electric fleet performance, enabling more informed operational and infrastructure decisions. For container terminal electrification, telematics systems capture battery state of charge, energy consumption patterns, charging cycles, equipment utilisation rates, operational hours, location tracking, performance metrics, and maintenance alerts. This data transforms how terminals plan charging infrastructure, manage battery health, and optimise fleet deployment compared to traditional diesel equipment monitoring.

What exactly does equipment telematics data tell you about electric fleets?

Equipment telematics data for electric port equipment captures comprehensive information about fleet performance and energy usage. These data points provide terminal operators with complete visibility into how electric equipment performs under actual operational conditions.

Key data points captured by telematics systems:

Data Category Specific Metrics Operational Value
Battery Performance State of charge, degradation over time, charging cycles Prevents operational disruptions and extends battery life
Energy Consumption Power consumption per move, immediate power draw, consumption patterns Identifies efficiency opportunities and cost management
Equipment Utilisation Operational hours, location tracking, utilisation rates Optimises fleet deployment and charging schedules
Maintenance Indicators Performance metrics, maintenance alerts, operating parameters Enables predictive maintenance and reduces downtime

Electric equipment generates more actionable data points than traditional diesel equipment because battery-powered systems require continuous monitoring of energy states. Whilst diesel equipment monitoring typically focuses on fuel levels and basic operational hours, electric equipment telematics must track power consumption per move, battery degradation over time, and charging status to prevent operational disruptions. This granularity allows terminals to understand precisely how different operational variables affect energy consumption.

Telematics systems collect both real-time and historical data. Real-time data shows current battery charge levels, immediate power draw, and equipment location, enabling dispatchers to make informed deployment decisions. Historical data reveals patterns in energy consumption across shifts, identifies which operational behaviours consume excessive power, and supports long-term planning for charging infrastructure requirements. Terminal operators can access this information through integrated fleet management systems that connect to terminal operating systems.

How does telematics data help you make better charging decisions?

Telematics data informs charging infrastructure planning by revealing actual operational patterns and energy consumption rates under varying terminal conditions. This allows you to identify optimal charging windows, size infrastructure appropriately, and prevent equipment downtime due to insufficient charge whilst managing electricity costs effectively.

Critical charging decisions informed by telematics data:

  • Optimal charging windows: Identifies natural low-utilisation periods when equipment can charge without impacting productive operations
  • Infrastructure sizing: Determines how many chargers you need based on actual fleet usage patterns
  • Charger location: Reveals where charging stations should be positioned for maximum efficiency
  • Charging strategy: Indicates whether fast charging or deep charging better suits your operational profile
  • Shift alignment: Shows whether current charging strategies align with shift patterns or require adjustment

Predictive charging becomes possible when telematics data reveals upcoming shift requirements and typical consumption patterns. Rather than arbitrary charging schedules, you can deploy equipment to charging stations based on actual battery state and anticipated operational demands. This data-driven approach balances equipment availability with charging requirements, particularly important for terminals with continuous 24/7 operations where removing equipment for charging directly impacts capacity. The data also identifies whether your current fleet size accommodates charging downtime or whether additional equipment is necessary to maintain throughput.

Why is telematics data important for extending electric equipment lifespan?

Telematics data supports predictive maintenance and battery health management by monitoring degradation patterns, identifying equipment operating outside optimal parameters, and detecting early warning signs of component failure. This enables maintenance scheduling based on actual usage rather than arbitrary timelines, extending equipment lifespan and reducing unexpected failures.

Battery degradation represents a significant operational and financial concern for electric terminal equipment. Telematics systems track charging cycles, depth of discharge patterns, and operating temperatures that affect battery longevity. When equipment consistently operates outside recommended parameters, the data provides early warning, allowing intervention before performance deteriorates significantly.

Operational behaviours that accelerate battery wear (identified through telematics):

  • Excessive fast charging frequency
  • Operating at extreme charge levels (very high or very low)
  • Inconsistent depth of discharge patterns
  • Operating at suboptimal temperatures
  • Irregular charging cycle intervals

The financial impact of data-driven maintenance versus reactive repairs is substantial. Unplanned equipment failures disrupt operations and often require expensive emergency repairs or component replacements. Telematics data allows you to schedule maintenance during planned downtime, source parts in advance, and address minor issues before they become major failures. For container terminal electrification projects, understanding these maintenance patterns during the planning phase helps you develop realistic operational expenditure forecasts and maintenance strategies that preserve your infrastructure investment over its expected lifespan.

How we help terminal operators leverage telematics data

We integrate telematics data into terminal design, automation planning, and operational improvement strategies through our port logistics consulting services. Our approach combines simulation analysis with real operational data to help you make evidence-based decisions about container terminal electrification.

Our specific services include:

Service Approach Benefits
Simulation Analysis Incorporates real telematics data to validate equipment sizing and charging infrastructure requirements Test different battery solutions and charging strategies in a virtual environment without commitment or interference to existing operations
Operational Improvement Planning Uses telematics insights to optimise electric fleet utilisation Measures vehicle power usage per move depending on vehicle types and dynamic operational variables
Capacity Analysis Accounts for electric equipment charging constraints Monitors battery status and power consumption over time as per real-life operations during peak hours and across shifts
Business Case Evaluation Factors in telematics-enabled efficiency gains when assessing electric fleet transitions Quantifies the impacts of various battery solutions and charging strategies on terminal performance

We help you translate raw telematics data into actionable operational decisions and long-term planning insights. Our detailed and dynamic modelling approach tailors operation scenarios according to your terminal’s unique characteristics, determining requirements for equipment type, fleet size, vehicle battery size, and optimal charging strategies that meet your specific conditions and needs.

If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to our team of experts today.

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