Electric trucks are the subject of the first guidance report released today by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE). No subject is more fraught with confusion than commercial battery electric vehicles — which is why NACFE says it chose this topic for its first guidance report.
“Battery electric vehicles for commercial applications are here today but there are arguments for and against further development in that market. Arguments center on weight, technology, cost and charging/electric grid issues,” says Bill Brentar, senior director of maintenance and engineering, UPS Corporate Automotive Engineering.
Mike Roeth, executive director, NACFE, says, “The purpose of this guidance report — the first such report from NACFE — is to bring some clarity and insights into the complex topic of the viability of commercial battery electric vehicles.”
The report identifies 10 common arguments for and against electric Class 3 through 8 commercial battery electric vehicles (CBEVs) and evaluates those positions to assess the viability for battery electric trucks in the North American market. NACFE’s conclusions are presented in parity charts that show the timeframe with which electric trucks reach parity with diesel or gasoline trucks in areas that buyers care about — cost, range, maintenance, etc.
According to Rick Mihelic, director, Future Technologies Studies, NACFE, the study found that “CBEVs and diesel engines are at different points on their innovation S-curves, but CBEVs have a greater potential for additional innovation.”
The report found that, “CBEVs are not the choice for every application or market, yet they will likely have an increasing role in the commercial vehicle market and in freight transportation. Urban delivery Classes 3 through 6 will likely be the early adopters,” explains Mihelic.
“There are many predictions about electrification. The reality is for the foreseeable future we will need a range of power solutions to provide fleets with the best opportunity for meeting their needs,” says Julie Furber, executive director – Electrified Power, Cummins Inc. “NACFE sheds light on many of the complexities that will impact the rate of electrified power adoption in commercial trucks.”
The report includes current, relevant bibliography of 204 CBEV references and 85 graphics, of which 31 are new. To get the report, CLICK HERE.
NACFE is planning another guidance report on medium-duty battery electric trucks, which will be released this fall.
