An electric truck is a rechargeable, battery-powered vehicle used to transport goods. Not to worry, it will not need a bunny to give it energy along the way, and it can save you money. They're similar to diesel trucks but designed for heavier loads and longer distances. Here's what sets them apart:
Electric trucks offer a cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional diesel and petrol trucks, especially as battery technology continues to improve and charging infrastructure expands.
As with regular petrol or diesel trucks, electric trucks have their own challenges. The main challenge is cost, but charging points and charging locations are both issues that fleets face if they’re looking to implement EV trucks in the future.
You may find that a charging point is available but not compatible with your fleet. You need to find out if your truck uses Level 1, 2 or 3 fast charging points. Levels 1 and 2 are AC (alternating current) type chargers which is an alternating flow of charge that can be created from renewable sources that use rotating generators. Level 3 charging points are DC (direct current) that moves in a straight line and can be powered by solar panels, making them fast charging.
The most common charging point available for electric vehicles is the SAE J1772 electric vehicle plug, which is mainly for Level 2 charging points and is the most common electric vehicle charging point. However, most electric trucks require a ChadeMo DC charging point, as they are fast charging and can charge up to 80% in 30 minutes. This makes it best for fleet-based businesses, as the truck can quickly return to the road.
In South Africa, charging availability is one of the main challenges fleet owners consider when purchasing electric trucks, and it’s probably one of the main reasons localised fleet companies still opt for diesel or petrol vehicles. Most petrol stations in South Africa do not cater to electric trucks’ charging needs, making them impractical for long-haul purposes. Companies like Zero Carbon Charge are rising to this challenge by launching their subsidiary, Zero Carbon Logistics, which will make 120 solar PV electric truck charging sites available on national highways nationwide.
This may be the game changer South African fleet companies have been waiting for. The first six charging stations are being built on the N3 major freight route between Johannesburg and Durban.
These charging stations are also expected to be up and running quite soon. Zero Carbon Charge’s co-founder, Andries Malherbe, says they aim for full functionality for all six stations by November 2027. Running an efficient green fleet right here in Mzansi might become a reality much sooner than we think.
Fleet decarbonising is an important part of running a sustainable business. It is the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There are many benefits to decarbonising your fleet, so let’s take a look at some:
Reduced fleet maintenance: Electric trucks are said to be resilient as the electric motor has less strain on engines due to minimal fuel usage. Electric trucks require less maintenance due to regenerative braking, which allows energy to be extracted from the parts used and reused. Brake wear and tear is significantly reduced due to the truck slowing down and reusing energy helping prolong brake longevity and reduce maintenance costs.
Lowering costs: With fuel costs rising 17% since the beginning of 2024, electric trucks are an attractive alternative. Fuel consumption is kept to a minimum—non-existent, which is great for saving on costs. On average, electric vehicles cost about R61 per 100km driven to charge whereas driving 100km in a fuel charged vehicle costs around R174. Saving R113 each time you charge your vehicle seems fair.
Managing fleet goals: If the entire fleet is up to date on maintenance, operations run smoothly. This results in having time to focus on other operational goals, such as prompt delivery and fleet efficiency, helping you channel all energies to other pressing issues that need to be addressed.
Humanised corporate image: Striving for sustainability helps improve the public’s perception of a brand. A humanised corporate image promotes word of mouth, which can help to generate more sales and engagement.
These benefits are only the tip of the iceberg if you’re looking into decarbonising your fleet.
Implementing green fleet management
Not to worry, a “green fleet” is not as different to a normal fleet as it sounds. The main thing to remember is how much it benefits your company compared to its petrol and diesel counterparts. Ensuring that your goals for your company are met–whether to save costs or be eco-savvy allows you to have more time to focus on boosting profits and improving productivity. For starters, consider adopting a reliable telematics system that can help track your vehicle maintenance and integrate a green culture to your fleet.
Going green is proving to be advantageous as we learn new ways of being sustainable. As mentioned before, a business that seems human is likely to have a higher consumer demand. What better advantage than getting more business? There are quite several financial advantages to electrifying your fleet, namely:
The implementation of zero-carbon electric trucks into fleets is fast growing worldwide, and this is visible in the amount of awareness there is in being eco-friendly in business. The way governments view clean transportation and reward businesses with incentives is by stimulating growth in EV-powered fleets and using electric trucks for commercial transportation, followed by infrastructure changes designed to support EV-powered transportation.
With more vehicle manufacturers branching out into the electric truck space, growth and supply increases.
Many logistics companies worldwide are turning to electric truck adoption to contribute to saving the planet. Countries like China, Germany and the United States of America are proving to be leading the adoption of electric trucks. China dominated the sales and production of electric trucks, with nearly 66,000 trucks sold in 2022. Germany recorded an enormous 20,000 electric trucks in 2023.
The reduction of last-mile delivery costs in logistics can be attributed to the rise as electric trucks assist in reducing due to the amount of torque, fewer mechanical parts and overall zero fuel usage. The more last-mile deliveries, the more emissions vehicles have due to traffic congestion, idling, and overall driving around.
Implementing EV trucks into your fleet will help you reach and set higher financial and profit goals while being more environmentally friendly. However, this process can take time. Whether you’re 100% EV or not, Cartrack has solutions to help you boost your profits while ensuring you keep your fleet clean and reduce emissions.
Contact Cartrack and discover how to start transforming your fleet into a sustainable force to be reckoned with.
While the world is moving towards increased sustainability, and with zero carbon charging stations in the pipeline for our local highways, not every company can afford to do a clean sweep and go 100% electric all at once. But you can start by “greening” the fleet you already have. Here are four ways you can make a difference in your existing fleet:
If you are ready to start operating sustainably, these are great ways to reduce your fleet’s carbon emissions. You can start small and work your way to switching to electric trucks.
Let Cartrack put you in control of your fleet’s journey towards a reduced carbon footprint.
