Electric trucks are increasingly becoming part of the transportation landscape, with fleet operators beginning to integrate these vehicles into their operations. While Class 8 electric trucks often grab headlines, it is the light- and medium-duty space that is seeing significant adoption of battery-electric vehicles. One such early adopter is U.S. Air Conditioning Distributors, a private fleet operator based in California, which has been successfully running two medium-duty battery-electric International eMV Series trucks since March 2023.
According to Jack Scarsi, vice president of operations and finance at the HVAC distributor, the electricity to power these trucks costs about a fourth as much as diesel, making them a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for the company’s local delivery operations. In addition to cost savings, electric trucks also provide benefits such as more acceleration, no gears, and reduced vibration, creating a comfortable driving experience for the company’s drivers.
To support the operation of these electric trucks, U.S. Air Conditioning Distributors has installed a Level 3 DC fast-charging station and is working with Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready program to install two more charging stations. Scarsi emphasized the importance of planning for infrastructure and educating drivers on the nuances of operating electric vehicles to maximize efficiency and performance.
Industry experts point to the pace of adoption as a key factor in the successful integration of electric trucks into fleets. Navistar, a subsidiary of Traton Group, aims to have 50% of its total sales be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, but achieving this goal is contingent on the development of the country’s charging infrastructure.
Debbie Shust, vice president of Navistar’s work truck business, notes that while there are challenges associated with the adoption of electric trucks, fleets need to start deploying these vehicles to understand how they will fit into their unique operations. Shust encourages fleets to proactively integrate electric trucks into their operations before regulatory mandates force them to do so.
Other major fleet operators, such as UPS, Penske, and Ryder System, are also actively testing and deploying electric trucks in their operations. These companies highlight the importance of strong partnerships with manufacturers, utility companies, and government agencies to support the successful adoption of electric vehicles. While challenges remain, industry experts believe that advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure will drive the widespread adoption of electric trucks in the coming years.
Overall, the early success of battery-electric commercial vehicles in applications such as local delivery and utility services indicates a promising future for electric trucks in the transportation industry. With the support of industry leaders and ongoing technological advancements, electric trucks are poised to play a significant role in the transition to a more sustainable and efficient transportation system.
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