Smart Ways to Use Electric Trucks
Smart Ways to Use Electric Trucks
Posted on August 2, 2023
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Electric trucks are slowly becoming a common sight on the roads. With more models released each year, it can leave you wondering what's the best use for these trucks. Here are five clever things you can do to optimize how electric trucks are used.
Yard Trucks for On-Premises Work
The truck's short range is often seen as one of its downfalls, with models often having a range between 200 and 350 kilometres before their battery runs flat. However, working on a premises limits the overall distance you need to travel and keeps the truck near its charger.
Aside from being friendlier for the environment, this option can also reduce the cost of fuel. Fetching cargo for transport between warehouses or moving tools and freight is much more cost-effective.
Drayage at Ports or Rail Yards
Use at ports or rail yards for drayage, moving containers from ships to warehouses, is another way to optimize how you handle electric trucks. While the distance is more than that of a yard truck, it's an easy option for most electric trucks to handle before returning to their charging station.
Often these will be a one-trip shift type of work, mainly depending on the distance between the warehouse and the location the cargo comes from. However, this method can quickly become efficient without complication with proper scheduling and procedures.
Local Deliveries and Services
Keeping electric trucks for local use is another way to get the most out of the current technology. While this may sound like a restriction, many deliveries concur within the driving range for these trucks. Setting up proper rotation and charging schedules will allow for seamless and frequent delivery.
Find the Perfect Route
With the range limitations of trucks, you can plan and select the perfect route to deliver cargo and return to the charging station. This process can be calculated down the kilometre once you know your truck and factor in traffic and weather conditions. Most of this planning is thanks to all trucks in a company having a central charging location, making plans versatile and usable for multiple drivers.
Simpler Trips, Healthier Drivers
With shorter trips and more frequent breaks, electric trucks are seen to have a positive effect on the well-being of their drivers. Additionally, the shorter routes mean drivers are less likely to need to take long-haul trips requiring sleeping.
As such, the setup of electric trucks has yet to have any major consideration for sleeping cabs. However, this is likely to change as the capabilities of electric vehicles increase.
It's Still a New Technology
While trucks that can travel for several hundred or even thousands of kilometres on a single charge don't exist, the technology is still being improved. As time passes, the options available for electric trucks will increase, giving you more possibilities.