Main Problems and Challenges of Electric Freight Trucks

Electric trucks are about to revolutionise the shipping industry. Just picture fleets operating quietly, eliminating diesel fuel, and completely turning off tailpipe emissions. It sounds like every logistics manager's dream. For courier services, especially those offering sameday delivery or scheduled courier service, the shift to electric promises a more sustainable, cost-effective future. But reality reveals a more complex road ahead.

Electric freight trucks come with numerous advantages that promote sustainability and improved business outcomes, however, there are also hurdles that plague their infrastructure and logistics as a whole. Here are the summarised issues at hand.

1. Production Challenges for Electric Freight Trucks

   
   

Excessive Outlay:

•  Expensive : Class 8 electric trucks can cost up to three times more than diesel powered Class 8 trucks due to expensive battery packs and new gear.

• Supply-Chain Concerns: Raw materials like lithium and cobalt are essential for EV batteries, but global supply is limited. As demand surges, these bottlenecks raise costs and delay production, impacting large-scale adoption for couriers who rely on vehicle availability for sameday delivery operations.

• Chip Deficits: Each EV requires an estimated 1,000 chips per vehicle, ten times more than diesel trucks. With ongoing global chip shortages, production timelines become unpredictable, which can delay fleet upgrades for scheduled courier services and regional logistics.

2. Restrictions Regarding Cargo Capacity

• Batteries Associated Weight: A single 16,000 lb battery adds substantial weight, significantly reducing the payload. This is a serious concern for courier services, where delivery efficiency is measured by how much can be transported in one trip.

• Legal Limitations: While some states provide legal exemptions of 2,000 lbs for zero emission trucks, it only allows for 2-3% of lost capacity.

3. Restriction Gaps in Charging

• Diminished Driving Distance: In comparison to diesel trucks that have a range of over 1,000 miles, electric trucks are restricted to 250-300 miles per charge.

• Limited Charging Availability: Currently, there is a lack of megawatt charging stations. Slow NEVI corridor rollouts and high build costs are the reasons for bottlenecks.

  
  

 4. Economic Rationality

• Highly restricted incentives where only $40,000 in credits can be accessed while strict compliance mandates makes electric freight trucks economically unfriendly.

• Cost Parity: Medium-duty electric vehicles are already recovering tank-to-wheel (TCO) costs. Heavy-duty models will likely achieve cost parity with diesel TCO by the late 2020s, assuming battery prices continue to fall.

5- Concerns Around Battery Life

• Degradation: EV batteries age. After 8 years, they lose approximately 2% of their capacity each year, falling well below 80% capacity, right when the warranty expires.

• Second-life applications: Discharged batteries are being used for energy storage, allowing companies to regain some value and delaying disposal.

Emerging Solution

1. Solid-State Batteries

Projected to be developed by 2027, these batteries enable a reduced battery weight while increasing range due to higher energy density and faster charging times.  

2. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology

Enables trucks to sell back power to the grid at peak periods, dramatically reducing fuel costs by 20 to 30 percent.  

3. Lightweight Trailers

Employing new materials such as aluminum and composites could reduce the weight of the trailer by 1,000 to 2,000 lbs, compensating for the weight of the batteries.  

4. NEVI Corridor Buildout

Federal programs intend to place charging stations every 50 miles in key corridors within five years, supporting long-haul electric trucking.

Conclusion

Electric Trucks signify cleaner air, reduced noise, and a potential future with completely green emissions. However, this reality is not possible to achieve right away. There are real issues with costs, cargo capacity, range, charging stations, battery life, and ethical material sourcing which fleet operators need to tackle first.

With V2G savings, NEVI corridor funding, and solid-state batteries on the way, the transportation industry is starting to show movement on the issue. Businesses can stay informed and work with Twenty 47 logistics  to ensure smoother, smarter electric integration.

FAQs

1. What makes electric freight trucks more expensive than diesel ones?

Electric trucks require costly battery packs, advanced drivetrain systems, and more semiconductors, making their production significantly pricier than traditional diesel trucks.

2. How far can an electric freight truck travel on a single charge?

3. Are electric trucks suitable for sameday delivery services?

4. What is the NEVI corridor and how does it help?

5. Can electric truck batteries be reused after expiry?