NACFE: Business Economics Drive EV Terminal Truck Adoption
The adoption of electric terminal trucks is primarily driven by business economics, not solely sustainability goals, according to new NACFE research. More fleets are moving past pilot phases to standardize these vehicles.
Electric terminal trucks are being adopted by fleets primarily due to their favorable business economics, rather than solely for sustainability objectives, according to research by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE). The findings are detailed in NACFE's latest report, "Beyond The Pilot: Electric Terminal Tractor Adoption, Four Year Later."
The study found that 76% of surveyed fleet operators reported actual operating cost savings compared to diesel counterparts. Direct economic benefit has now become the leading reason for fleets to adopt the technology. Furthermore, 54% of operators have progressed beyond pilot programs into partial deployment or full standardization of electric terminal tractors.
These electric terminal tractors are increasingly serving as logistics companies' entry point into electrification. Fifty-eight percent of respondents either adopted electric terminal tractors before any other type of battery-electric vehicle or exclusively electrify their terminal tractors. This approach allows for building confidence in a low-risk environment before electrifying on-road vehicles.
One fleet featured in the report, with nearly a decade of comparative data, reported approximately 50% lower maintenance costs and 75-95% lower energy costs per operating hour compared to diesel models. The research was based on a survey of 62 respondents and seven in-depth interviews. The research was sponsored by Orange EV.