Are Electric Trucks Really The Future?
Electric vehicles once seemed like a thing of the future, but now they are a common sight on most of our roads. This is because they are often cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly, and so government targets have been put in place to try and shift more private vehicle use towards the electric market. However, the HGV market has not moved quite as quickly, and so there are far fewer electric trucks on our roads.
In this article, Fleet Ex, global suppliers of premium ex-fleet trucks, look at whether that is set to change. Could more fleets be switching from diesel to electric? Is the electric vehicle infrastructure ready for the HGV industry? Will electric trucks really be the future?
The challenges of electric HGV's
The reason that we don't see as many electric trucks on the roads of the UK is because there are still a number of challenges that face the haulage industry. One of the biggest ones has proved to be the lack of charging infrastructure. Whilst there are many more electric vehicle charging points on our roads than there used to be, there are still very few which are capable of charging an HGV. This can mean journey planning is difficult, as drivers need to incorporate the right charging stations for their vehicles and when they get there, they may find that they are already in use.
In addition to this, charging an electric truck can take hours which is something that will also need to be factored into any journey plans. The range of each truck will be very important, especially for those that need to travel long distances on a regular basis.
There is also a huge financial aspect to making the switch towards electric HGV's. As with many other EV's, the electric versions are more expensive than the traditional diesel trucks, and so many fleets have avoided making the switch because of the huge financial investment that is needed. This can be counteracted by the increased efficiency and profit margins that a business is able to enjoy once a HGV is on the road, but it does require you to be able to spend more on the initial truck in the first place.
Whilst there are a number of challenges for drivers and fleet managers, the HGV industry as a whole has also experienced difficulties. This is because manufacturing electric HGV's is proving tricky due to the weight and complexity of the components that make up these vehicles. With some HGV's weighing as much as 18 tonnes, huge amounts of battery power is needed to get them thundering up and down our motorways and this only adds to the weight even further.
The benefits of electric HGVs
One of the biggest advantages of an electric HGV is the lower costs that are involved in running them. The efficiency of the vehicles means that the cost per mile is significantly lower than the diesel alternatives, and so fleets will soon start to feel the benefit of using an electric truck. These types of vehicles also require less maintenance, which means there are more costs that can be saved over the long term.
As an electric vehicle produces zero emissions, it is a much greener and more sustainable option. These energy efficient trucks will not only improve air quality but will also make it much easier to enter Low Emissions Zones or Ultra Low Emission Zones.
This more eco-friendly approach is likely to give many businesses a competitive edge as your customers will be looking for ways that they can make their own business greener. If they are able to make the switch to a haulage company that has zero emissions, they can boost their own green credentials with their target audience as well.
We have already seen a shift to try and limit the sales of petrol and diesel cars in the UK, and it will not be long before the only vehicles on sale are electric. It is likely that the haulage industry will soon be facing the same restrictions and so investing in electric trucks will help to make sure that your business is compliant with any legislation change that might be coming in the future. Getting ahead now will help you to navigate any problems such as supply issues that might occur when the laws are brought in.
One of the most common complaints about a traditional lorry is the noise that it makes thundering past houses and through the countryside, but this is set to be a thing of the past with electric vehicles. The reduced noise that they offer means that drivers and passengers can enjoy a more comfortable and pleasant journey, whilst those in the outside world will also find them less disruptive.
Overcoming the problems
Whilst electric trucks have faced their challenges, the manufacturers are now gradually starting to overcome these. There is an awareness that a range of powerful fast charging EV stations need to be put in place to accommodate trucks and keep our wheels turning.
We all know how quickly technology moves on, and recent improvements in things like battery capacity and mileage have meant that electric HGV's will not only become a more practical choice, but also more cost competitive in the next few years. This will mean they are more accessible to more businesses, putting the upgrade to electric HGVs in reach.
This leap forward in technology can be seen in many of the manufacturers of HGVs who are now continuing to push the boundaries in what they develop. Battery storage is becoming more impressive, which means trucks will be able to cover a much greater number of miles between charges and the electric truck will seem like a much more practical choice.
When looking at the world of haulage, it certainly seems as though the future is electric. With environmental concerns increasing on an almost daily basis, it seems likely that the combination of technology development and government legislation will push electric HGVs to the forefront in the near future. These trucks are set to be more efficient, cost effective and eco-friendly than anything that has gone before and so haulage companies can look forward to a profitable and greener business model.