Electric Trucks and Vehicles

 What type of battery is used in electric trucks and buses?

Most battery-electric trucks and buses use lithium-ion batteries. The specific battery chemistry varies by manufacturer and model, but two common types are lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC). LFP batteries are known for thermal stability and long cycle life, while NMC batteries offer high energy density.

 How accessible are chargers for commercial electric vehicles?

Public charging stations designed to accommodate the size, parking configuration and power requirements of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are extremely limited. However, investments are being made to increase the accessibility of public charging stations where they’re needed across the U.S., such as at truck stops, loading bays and service workshops.

Most commercial fleets rely on charging at their home base, where vehicles are stored between shifts. Installing fleet charging infrastructure requires careful planning, and fleets should evaluate vehicle schedules, charging needs, available electrical capacity, utility timelines and opportunities to charge during scheduled downtime. We can help customers understand these requirements, identify infrastructure resources and coordinate with charging providers and local utilities.

 How long do electric trucks and buses take to charge?

Charging time varies by vehicle, battery capacity, charger output, the vehicle’s maximum charging rate, battery temperature and starting state of charge. An electric truck or bus may charge overnight using AC charging or use higher-powered DC charging to recover a significant portion of its range during a shorter stop. Manufacturers often publish charging times for a specific state-of-charge range, such as 20% to 80% or 20% to 90%, rather than from empty to full.

 What is the range of electric commercial vehicles?

Electric commercial vehicle range varies significantly by vehicle class, battery configuration, application and operating conditions. Available configurations can range from under 100 miles to 250 miles or more on a charge.

Actual range may be affected by payload, route, speed, weather, terrain, heating and air conditioning use, auxiliary equipment and driver behavior. Because of these variables, fleets should evaluate range using their real routes and operating requirements rather than relying solely on a manufacturer’s maximum estimate.

 Which applications make the most sense for electric truck adoption?

Battery-electric trucks and buses are often a strong fit for applications with predictable routes, moderate daily mileage and scheduled downtime at a home base. These may include school transportation, local pickup and delivery, drayage, refuse, terminal operations and certain regional-haul or urban applications.

Fleets should also consider payload, terrain, climate, auxiliary equipment, charging time, electrical capacity and how often vehicles return to their home base. Longer routes may be practical when a vehicle has sufficient range and reliable charging is available along the route or at its destination. We can evaluate your duty cycle and help identify vehicles that fit your operating requirements.