Managing a commercial fleet involves a lot of moving parts. Maintenance is just one of these parts, but it’s one of the most important. Your goal in proper fleet maintenance is to ensure that your vehicles are always running at their top efficiency. One way to do this is to select the best fleet batteries for your business. Let’s break down the top factors you should consider when making your decision.
What Power Do You Need?
Fleets use a lot of different types of batteries. The most common types are conventional flooded lead-acid and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM). The first type is suitable if you’re buying a battery for day cabs, dump trucks, or a similar vehicle that requires a high starting power and minimal cycling. You’ll need to engage in regular watering and equalizing to ensure these batteries reach their full life cycle.
Meanwhile, AGM batteries feature Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology which offers greater surface area, higher power, and the ability to deep cycle. These batteries are a better option for newer trucks that can cycle a battery more often.
What Maintenance is Required?
Conventional lead-acid batteries require regular maintenance, which might be time-consuming. It is also risky if you don’t regularly keep up with your maintenance requirements. Whenever your vehicles are off the road and in the garage, that’s lost money for your business.
Is the Battery Safe?
You may not immediately think of safety issues regarding a battery, but you should be aware of some hazards. For example, AGM batteries have an advantage over flooded batteries because the case is sealed, making it impossible for an acid spill to occur when servicing the battery. Look at the safety features of any battery you purchase and ensure it will be safe while servicing or operating the vehicle.
What is the State of Charge (SOC)?
We discussed TPPL technology earlier and its advantages. Another advantage is a slower rate of self-discharge than alternative batteries, which equates to a longer shelf life before recharging. They can also quickly recharge up to 100% and can be charged up to 400 times.
Learn More About Vehicle Maintenance
Buying batteries for your vehicles is only one crucial part of vehicle maintenance that Azuga can help you manage. Our maintenance alerts can tell you when to replace batteries or perform other routine maintenance tasks. You can also learn more about how to save on maintenance or optimize your maintenance methods with our blog articles:
What Does Fleet Maintenance Mean?
Best Practices and Procedures for Equipment Maintenance
Fleet Maintenance Plan & Checklist
