Electric pickup trucks are well suited for fleet duty, according to a recent study Geotab, a fleet tracking and management company. The vehicles are more than capable of handling the duties of most existing light pickups in fleets today and will likely save many operators money in the long run.
Geotab analyzed de-identified data from more than 400,000 passenger trucks across the US and Canada to find out exactly what these vehicles do in a day and whether electric speakers market entry will be able to handle it.
It was found that half of all light trucks never exceeded 280 miles (450 km) in a single day during the entire year. In fact, 76 percent of vehicles were found to never exceed the future electric pickup truck’s range in a day.
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Admittedly, these ranges are most likely calculated with an empty truck, while a fleet is usually loaded with gear at all times. But just because these vehicles travel up to 280 miles (450 km) doesn’t mean they do it every day.
In addition, with the extended range of the Ford F-150 Pro, which promises a range of 320 miles (515 km), and Chevrolet Silverado EV promising more than 400 miles (644 km), it’s likely that even fully loaded, the trucks can be reasonably operated by the company, even if they require short charging breaks throughout the day. Geotab’s next question was whether it would be cost-effective.
Although electric cars remain more expensive to buy than cars with internal combustion engines, they have an advantage when it comes to fleet operators. While residential customers tend to place a high premium on upfront costs, fleets are more focused on the cost of living, and the good news is that electricity costs are lower and more stable than gas and diesel costs.
Whether these savings offset the initial cost depends on how the operator uses their vehicle. Geotab says there is a sweet spot for electric speakers in which they are not used so much that their daily use exceeds their range, but are used enough to offset the fuel costs. It found that 45 percent of light trucks used by fleets are located in this prime location.
By electrifying trucks in a convenient location, fleet operators can save $4,000 per vehicle over its lifetime. Meanwhile, with tax incentives, the number of vehicles that become cost-effective is only increasing. If the fleet get incentives costs $4,000 per truck, 56 percent of the vehicles in the study would save money by going electric. With a $6,500 discount, the number rises to 62 percent.
Geotab calls electric trucks a “game changer” for the fleet, and it could prove to be a cash cow for automakers.
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/07/76-percent-of-fleet-pickups-drive-less-than-modern-electric-trucks-range-in-a-day/
