With the surge of electric vehicles in recent years, it appears that truckers are not yet convinced to make the switch. According to a survey from Commercial Truck Trader, only 5% were eager for an immediate purchase and 4% indicated they may within five years – but 79% refused any possibility of adding electric trucks into their fleet at all.
Motivations for adopting electric trucks varied among survey respondents. Money savings at the pump was cited by over 40% of participants as their primary motivation for switching from gas-powered vehicles – but emissions reduction wasn’t far behind with nearly 20%. An additional 30% said they were drawn in due to reduced maintenance.
With just 11% of truckers happily embracing electric trucks, the majority are still hesitant due to long charging times and limited battery range. Nearly 60% worry about mileage capabilities while almost half were concerned with how long it takes for batteries to fully charge up – highlighting a lack of readily available charging stations as an obstacle on their way towards mass adoption.
With the electric truck sector gaining traction, many are seeking assurance from those who’ve jumped on board. According to a survey of truckers, an encouraging endorsement or two could sway up to 30% into making the switch themselves; seeing other fleets use them is another convincing factor for over 20%.
The electric truck revolution could arrive earlier than expected. On March 31, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave California a green light to adopt stricter emission regulations for heavy-duty vehicles which could see 50 percent of new sales becoming electrically powered within six years in America’s most populous state and environmental leader.
Specifically, this means that by 2035, manufacturers who certify Class 2b-8 trucks with combustion engines will need to be selling zero emission models as 55% of their annual sales in the state for medium duty (Class 2b-3) vehicles, 75% for large straight trucks (Class 4 – 8), and 40% for tractor trailers.
On April 11, six states took a stand against carbon emissions by following California’s lead in adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. The waiver of preemption has enabled Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington to join forces with California in this campaign for clean air.
On a federal level, on March 27, the EPA enacted a rule requiring heavy-duty truck emissions to be reduced by an astounding 80%, beginning with model year 2027.
On April 6, Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, submitted a joint resolution in opposition of the EPA’s final rule. In February, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., introduced a similar measure in the Senate.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association also has spoken out against the EPA rule.
“If small-business truckers can’t afford the new, compliant trucks, they’re going to stay with older, less-efficient trucks or leave the industry entirely,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “Once again, EPA has largely ignored the warnings and concerns raised by truckers in this latest rule.”
Source: Land Line
