The Top 4 Business Reasons to Start Your EV Fleet

The environmental benefits of zero-emission vehicles are substantial – and they’re growing every day. But if you’re considering adding electric trucks to your fleet, sustainability isn’t the whole picture. Fortunately, electric vehicles can have plenty of positive impact on your business, too. In fact, they’re built for it.

“Wait,” you might be thinking. “Electric trucks still tend to cost more than diesel trucks – how can they be good for business?” It’s simple; zero-emission vehicles can offset higher capital costs with significantly lower operational costs such as fuel and maintenance. And that’s before you even consider the federal EV tax credit or rapidly improving EV battery prices.

1. Lower costs start at the EV charging stations.
Per mile, electricity is less expensive than diesel and gasoline. But the value of going electric is about more than what powers the vehicles. With technologies like telematics and managed charging, everything is connected, from how your electric trucks run routes to when they plug in to your EV charging stations. This increased integration and planning can enable EV fleets to charge when it’s most efficient and avoid costly demand charges, leading to big savings over time.

According to the State of Sustainable Fleets report, 98% of fleets surveyed that are currently using sustainable technology expect to continue at the same level or increase their use of these vehicles and fuels.

2. Longer electric truck service intervals kick savings into gear.
The differences between electric trucks and their diesel counterparts go far beyond power sources. Electric trucks have a much simpler design that features fewer moving parts. Ultimately, that translates into longer service intervals, fewer operational disruptions and much less spent on repairs in the long run.

In fact, the battery, e-motor and electronics in electric trucks typically need little to no maintenance at all. Brakes last longer, too, thanks to brake recuperation, which enables the e-motor to slow the vehicle down by converting mechanical motion back into electrical charge that can be stored in the batteries.

In 2019, the City of New York estimated that EVs reduced their maintenance costs by approximately 75%.

3. Reduced truck noise keeps drivers happy for a positive bottom line.
Despite all the noise electric trucks have made in the industry, there’s one place they’re consistently quiet: on the road. They ride smoothly and don’t create any fuel odors, either, which can contribute to a more pleasant working environment throughout the day. And the happier drivers are, the more likely they are to keep working hard for your business.

"Anything new is going to have some hesitation. But once they get in [an electric truck], they don’t want to go back.
– Jim O’Leary, NFI, vice president of fleet services

4. Electric trucks are powerful – and powerfully efficient.
The first time you drive an electric truck like the Freightliner eCascadia® or eM2®, its acceleration might surprise you. That’s because an electric truck can provide near-instant, maximum torque at low RPMs – essentially from a standing start. But why is instant torque important? Not only does it enable larger trucks to get up to speed quicker, but it also takes less force to do it. More efficient power can lead to significant savings on charging costs.

We’re fully charged to help your EV fleet succeed.
There’s a lot more to know about powering business with electric trucks. Detroit eConsulting is here to help. No matter where you are on the road to electric, we’re ready to move you forward.