The buzzword that echoes through the automotive industry today is “electric.” We talk a lot about it here at the QuickTSI blog, and for good reason. This is the topic that will – quite literally – drive our future. And while there are many alternative fuel CMVs in development, one stands out. With an enormous potential to serve as an alternative to fossil fuels, electric vehicles (EVs) are stealing the limelight. However, certain concerns arise. Is this alternative as groundbreaking as it seems? More importantly, is it the destined future for work truck fleets?
Electric vehicles promise an environmentally considerate mode of transport. With no tailpipe emissions, these vehicles contribute no direct pollutants to the atmosphere. However, the assertion that they are purely green machines needs a deeper examination. This analysis must consider well-to-wheel emissions, highlighting the importance of the source from which the vehicles draw power. Let’s dive into this interesting and trending topic a little deeper.
The Power Source Puzzle
The geographical source of electricity in the U.S significantly affects the final emissions tally of an electric vehicle. Statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Energy illustrate this correlation. In Oregon, for instance, hydropower generates 46.43% of electricity. Contrastingly, California relies heavily on natural gas, with this source producing 49.4% of its electricity.
Numerous energy sources contribute to the power grid, each with its own implications for the environment. Natural gas, coal, nuclear power, wind energy, hydroelectric power, solar energy, biomass, oil, geothermal energy, and other fossil fuels need consideration when evaluating the overall green footprint of electric vehicles.
Another vital element fleet managers must weigh is cost. The initial purchase of EVs can prove quite costly, and the availability of government incentives is not always reliable. Consequently, fiscal caution plays a crucial role in adopting electric vehicles.
Fleet managers must assure that the total expenditure on a vehicle aligns with a satisfactory return on investment (ROI). This alignment is critical for the implementation of EVs in work fleets to make economic sense. Thus, while the allure of a future-facing investment is potent, managers must consider their financial reality.
Facing the Fear of Range Anxiety
“Range anxiety” is a persistent concern shadowing the broader adoption of electric vehicles. Many vocational work truck fleets may find the daily range provided by most modern EVs sufficient for their operations. However, several factors could necessitate more power than a vehicle’s typical daily allotment.
Unanticipated instances such as long-distance travel, auxiliary power needs exceeding initial expectations, or an emergency call at the end of the day could strain the vehicle’s energy capacity. Further, external influences like heavy load weight and cold weather conditions can limit an EV’s range. These uncertainties add an element of risk that leaves fleet managers hesitant about transitioning fully to electric vehicles.
The Infrastructure Implication
A widespread switch to electric vehicles also hinges on a robust charging infrastructure. The creation of a fueling network is an evolutionary process, as the history of traditional gas stations shows. The first gas station appeared between 1905 and 1907, but it took around 30 years to amass over 200,000 gas stations in the U.S. in 1935.
As reported by the American Petroleum Institute, there are over 145,000 fueling stations in the U.S. today. It is evident that the development and expansion of an extensive fueling network is a lengthy and complex process.
Despite these challenges, the quest for alternative fuels continues. The announcement from California intending to ban the sale of gasoline vehicles by 2035 followed by a plea for residents to reduce EV charging due to power shortages illustrates that electricity isn’t the only alternative fuel option.
Several alternative energy sources are currently undergoing development and testing. Some of these alternatives are already powering trucks on the road today, offering a diverse spectrum of possibilities for the future of work truck fleets.
Understanding the Green Profile of EVs
Electric vehicles, commonly abbreviated as EVs, paint a picture of an eco-friendly future. The absence of tailpipe emissions suggests a pure, green solution for transportation. However, a thorough examination of their environmental impact necessitates looking beyond the tailpipe.
This wider lens of examination, often referred to as well-to-wheel emissions, takes into account the power source for these electric vehicles. This approach sheds light on the environmental footprint of the electricity generation that powers EVs. It’s a crucial part of the picture, often neglected in discussions about EVs.
A primary factor in determining the emissions associated with EVs is the source of electricity. It’s geography-dependent, adding an extra layer of complexity to the EV emissions conversation. Data from the U.S. Department of Energy adds some insight to this issue.
In Oregon, hydropower is the primary electricity source, generating 46.43% of the state’s electricity. This source of electricity has relatively low emissions, making Oregon’s EVs cleaner. But California tells a different story. Natural gas, a fossil fuel, is the primary source of electricity, accounting for 49.4% of the state’s production. Therefore, EVs in California may contribute more emissions than their counterparts in Oregon.
The Complex Calculus of EV Costing
Cost is a significant consideration when it comes to fleet vehicle choices. Electric vehicles have a higher price tag compared to their internal combustion counterparts. This increased cost can present a barrier for many fleet managers. Unfortunately, government incentives, which can help offset these higher costs, are often unpredictable and unreliable.
Fleet managers have a critical task. They must ensure that their investment in EVs will bring satisfactory returns. For EVs to make fiscal sense, the lifecycle costs of the vehicles must be justified by a robust return on investment.
One of the most daunting concerns about EVs is range anxiety. While many vocational work truck fleets may operate within the daily range provided by most modern EVs, unforeseen circumstances can dramatically alter power requirements.
A particularly long day of driving, higher than anticipated auxiliary power needs, or an emergency call during the return trip to base can all exceed the estimated daily range of an EV. Complicating matters further are external factors such as vehicle load weight and weather conditions. Both can negatively impact an electric vehicle’s range, creating an additional level of uncertainty for fleet managers.
Building the EV Charging Infrastructure
The adoption of EVs on a broader scale demands a robust and convenient charging infrastructure. Historically, the evolution of the traditional gasoline station was a slow process, suggesting that the development of EV charging infrastructure may follow a similar trajectory.
Gas stations first emerged in the early 1900s and have evolved over many decades to provide a convenient fueling network. Today, with over 145,000 fueling stations in the U.S., they offer a model for the development of EV charging networks. However, it’s important to remember that creating this infrastructure was a lengthy and complex process.
Despite the challenges facing EVs, there’s still optimism in the realm of alternative fuels. The recent announcement by California of a planned ban on the sale of gasoline vehicles by 2035 and a subsequent plea to residents to reduce EV charging due to power shortages highlight the need for alternative solutions.
There’s an array of potential energy sources currently in the research, development, and testing phases. Some of these alternatives are already powering trucks on the road, showing that the future of work truck fleets is far from fixed.
A Multifaceted Approach to the Future
The future of propulsion in the trucking industry remains clouded in uncertainty. EVs show promise, but they come with their own set of challenges. With the automotive landscape continuously evolving, new alternatives surface and warrant consideration.
These alternatives each have unique impacts on the environment, costs, and practicality. A balanced approach that considers all these factors will likely dictate the future of propulsion in the trucking industry. A diversified strategy may emerge as the key to a sustainable, cost-effective, and practical future.
The road ahead for propulsion in the trucking industry is anything but clear-cut. While electric vehicles may seem like a promising solution, they come with their own set of challenges. As the automotive landscape shifts and evolves, various other potential alternatives continue to surface.
Each of these alternatives brings a unique combination of environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and practicality. As such, a comprehensive approach that balances these factors will most likely dictate the future of propulsion in the trucking industry. And with uncertainty on the horizon, trucking companies should take advantage of all the tools at their disposal.