{"id":2205,"date":"2019-12-03T21:33:17","date_gmt":"2019-12-03T21:33:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=2205"},"modified":"2019-12-03T21:33:18","modified_gmt":"2019-12-03T21:33:18","slug":"should-you-consider-electrifying-your-trucking-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/should-you-consider-electrifying-your-trucking-fleet\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Consider Electrifying Your Trucking Fleet?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some fleets have been considering electrification, but is it right for you? There are definitely considerations to be made, but with proper planning, it can be done. Still, adding electric vehicles to your fleet isn\u2019t as simple as it seems. You can\u2019t always pull into a truck stop and charge your EV. Though that may be changing sooner rather than letter, it simply is not a current reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The industry is, however, making big strides to change that.\nTake Tesla as one example. Out for a casual day of testing, it was reported\nthat the rig was exceeding\nexpectations<\/a> hauling a 75,000 lb. load in Arizona. Yet, testing an\nelectrified big rig is still a long ways from seeing them en masse on the\nnation\u2019s roads and highways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Benchmark is Set<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla has made big strides and that cannot be denied. The\nproduction vehicle is slated to have 300 to 500 miles of range, yet there are\nalready signs that the true range could be closer to 600 miles. Even the CHP\ntesting station got in on the fun, releasing a statement to the effect that\nthey looked forward to seeing more electric trucks on the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even more, Tesla owns this market. Much like their rivals in\nthe automotive sector have been unable to adequately keep up, Elon Musk\u2019s\ninnovative company largely owns the electric semi space as well. And although\nthere have been skeptics<\/a>,\nit appears the numbers are real. While efficiency is far higher in electric\nrigs than in gasoline-powered rigs, it really depends on where the power is\ncoming from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If energy is coming from a gas- or coal-fired power plant,\nthen the energy efficiency takes a big drop. In places where most power comes\nfrom renewable sources, these vehicles would be more ecologically logical, if\nyou will. If the semi were to charge at a 1-megawatt fast-charging station, it\ncould consume as much energy as 2,500 households. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these potential drawbacks, industry advocates and\nfleets are excited about the potential for new, electrified technologies. OEMs\nare placing big bets on their adoption and helping fleets get set up. Speaking\nof getting set up, what is a fleet to do if they decide to pursue\nelectrification? Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Utility\nConnection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you want to move to a hybrid or fully electrified fleet, you can manage a smooth transition. There are plenty of resources available to fleets looking to move into an electric direction. You may want to start with your local utility. They will have experience working with companies and organizations such as yourself on their electrification efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Depending on how peak electricity is used, rates can\nfluctuate anywhere from 50% – 200% in a given day. If you needed to plan for\nfuel use in the same way, you would need to build in for high levels of price\nvolatility. There are 3,300 utility companies in the United States, each of which\nhave their own pricing structures, use charges, and peak demand rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a trucking company operating intrastate, you need\nto pay close attention to the rules and regulations you will have to operate\nunder. You must work with your local utility on electric charging\ninfrastructure, rates, and so much more. You may also be eligible for local\nfunding opportunities. Whether it be for substation or transformer installation\nor simple vehicle offset credits, these benefits make the move to\nelectrification a lot easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also consider the consulting fees you may be subject to should\nyou decide to hire someone from the outside. Instead, you can use the utility\ncompany that governs your jurisdiction as an inexpensive consultant. Since each\nuse case is unique, fleets need to work with their partners and utility company\nstaff on a tandem basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Planning is so Important<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to know what questions to ask. What are your\noperational needs? Does electrification fit into those needs? Do you know\nexactly how many EVs you want to add to your fleet? Will they all need to be\ncharged at the end of the day and do you have the infrastructure to support\nfleetwide charging? If you are dealing with multiple charge scenarios, you may\nneed expert help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your electrical provider or even a specialty contractor or\nconstruction consultant can help you model the type of infrastructure\ninvestments you\u2019ll need to make it work. Retrofitting your facility is no small\ntask and you don\u2019t want to make that kind of investment in a vacuum. Will you\nneed to make any major electrical upgrades? What kind of impact will this have on\nyour bottom line?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, EV charging infrastructure is an evolving\nbeast. You will have to be involved in complex planning and implementation\nprocesses. Utility companies are also subject to government rules and\nregulations. You may be looking at a year or more for the permitting process.\nHow long do you have to stretch the process out? Ideally, you need to start the\nprocess long before you ever take possession of your first electric vehicle or\nfinish your retrofit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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