Is it worth switching from fossil fuel trucks to electric or hybrid trucks in the US?

The answer depends on several factors, such as:

• Type of operation: Distance traveled, type of load, frequency of use, etc.

• Cost of trucks: Electric and hybrid trucks are more expensive, but can have lower operating costs.

• Charging infrastructure: Availability of charging stations for electric trucks.

• Government incentives: Discounts, subsidies, and tax benefits for electric and hybrid vehicles.

• Depreciation: The residual value of electric and hybrid trucks can be higher.
  

To help you make a decision, let's analyze an example:

Consider a company in the US with 10 diesel trucks that travel 100 miles per day, consuming 30 gallons of diesel per 100 miles. The price of diesel is $5.00 per gallon.

Annual diesel cost:

• 10 trucks x 100 miles/day x 30 gallons/100 miles x $5.00/gallon x 365 days/year = $5,475,000.00
  

Now, let's analyze the electric and hybrid truck options:

Electric truck:

• Acquisition cost: $800,000.00 (2x the cost of a diesel truck)

• Energy cost: $0.12 per kWh

• Energy consumption: 2 kWh/mile

• Range: 200 miles
  

Annual energy cost:

• 10 trucks x 100 miles/day x 2 kWh/mile x $0.12/kWh x 365 days/year = $1,752,000.00
  

Annual savings:

• $5,475,000.00 - $1,752,000.00 = $3,723,000.00
  

Depreciation:

• Diesel truck: 10% per year

• Electric truck: 5% per year
  

Annual depreciation:

• Diesel truck: 10 trucks x $400,000.00 (acquisition cost) x 10% = $4,000,000.00

• Electric truck: 10 trucks x $800,000.00 (acquisition cost) x 5% = $4,000,000.00
  

Payback period:

• ($800,000.00 (acquisition cost) + $4,000,000.00 (depreciation)) / $3,723,000.00 (annual savings) = 1.33 years
  

Hybrid truck:

• Acquisition cost: $640,000.00 (1.6x the cost of a diesel truck)

• Diesel consumption: 15 gallons/100 miles

• Diesel savings: 50%
  

Annual diesel cost:

• 10 trucks x 100 miles/day x 15 gallons/100 miles x $5.00/gallon x 365 days/year x 50% = $2,737,500.00
  

Annual savings:

• $5,475,000.00 - $2,737,500.00 = $2,737,500.00
  

Depreciation:

• Hybrid truck: 7.5% per year
  

Annual depreciation:

• Hybrid truck: 10 trucks x $640,000.00 (acquisition cost) x 7.5% = $4,800,000.00
  

Conclusion

As you can see, Switching from fossil fuel trucks to electric or hybrid trucks in the US is not good only for the Environment: It can be advantageous for companies that operate on fixed routes and with good charging infrastructure. The cost-benefit analysis should be done on a case-by-case basis, considering the factors mentioned above.

Electric trucks:

Pros: Lower operating cost, lower emissions, longer battery life, lower depreciation. Cons: High acquisition cost, lower range, need for charging infrastructure.

Hybrid trucks:

Pros: Lower operating cost than diesel trucks, lower emissions, longer range than electric trucks. Cons: Higher acquisition cost than diesel trucks, higher depreciation than electric trucks.

Depreciation:

Electric and hybrid trucks can have a higher residual value than diesel trucks, which can offset the higher acquisition cost.

Government incentives:

The US government offers various incentives for purchasing electric and hybrid trucks, such as discounts, subsidies, and tax benefits. These incentives can significantly reduce the upfront cost and further improve the financial feasibility of switching.

Recommendation:

Companies with fixed routes and good charging infrastructure can benefit from switching to electric or hybrid trucks. However, it's crucial to conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis considering your specific operation, including:

• Distance and frequency of travel: Electric trucks might not be suitable for long-haul routes with limited charging options.

• Type of cargo: Heavier loads might affect the range of electric trucks and fuel efficiency of hybrids.

• Maintenance costs: Electric and hybrid trucks generally require less maintenance than diesel trucks, which can offset some of the higher initial cost.

• Availability of government incentives: Check for available incentives and factor them into your calculations.
  

Consulting with experts in electric and hybrid trucks can also be valuable. They can help you assess your specific needs and recommend the most suitable options based on your operation and budget.

Additional resources:

• US Department of Energy: Electric Vehicles: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml

• US Environmental Protection Agency: Clean Trucks: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/clean-heavy-duty-vehicle-program