ELECTRIC VEHICLES: How Will Net Zero Net Out for Food Shippers?

There’s no better time for the planet to have fleets to convert net zero, which means greenhouse gases from fleets going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. But how about for America’s food shippers? A panel of experts recently discussed the options and issues for an all-electric or hybrid fleet.

Today, private and for-hire fleets have a number of alternatives to diesel—ranging from battery electric and catenary electric (powered by overhead or underground wires) to hybrid electric and alternative fuels. These experts specifically explore electric vehicles (EV) powered by battery electric and the growing reasons to consider them.

Soaring diesel prices are a main cause of today’s high food prices. Not surprisingly, expensive fuel is one of the biggest cost factors for fleets out there, says Ann Mary Myers, Director of Special Projects at Peterbilt, a leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of premium mediumand heavy-duty commercial vehicles. “I call the electric vehicle an expensive truck that utilizes a cheaper fuel.”

Myers says Peterbilt plans to bring EV prices down in the next few years. That will lower total cost of ownership – a huge factor in why EVs are attractive to fleets today, she adds.

Food shippers running reefers with diesel-powered refrigeration units will especially benefit.

Fuel savings aren’t the only highlight. There’s less maintenance with EVs, adds Charlotte Argue, Senior Manager of Sustainable Mobility at Geotab, a telematics provider that advances security, connects commercial vehicles to the Internet, and provides webbased analytics to help customers better manage their fleets. Moreover, Argue sees momentum for electrification of fleets coming from three new market forces: companies’ emissions commitments, government incentives, and technological advances.

“Ten years ago, we wouldn’t really be talking about electric trucks

• Technology immature

• Technology immature

• Many unknowns & challenges

• Many unknowns & challenges

• Legacy Diesels

• Legacy Diesels

• Natural Gas

• Natural Gas