What do electric trucks mean for freight transport?

Today, climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face worldwide. The use of transport, whether public or private, but above all professional, is one of the main reasons why global warming has become such a serious problem. In this sense, we in the road freight transport sector have a great responsibility to mitigate the polluting effects of our activities, and many companies are already applying their own solutions. For example, electric vehicles. But what do electric trucks mean for freight transport?

Because yes, electric transport is not limited to passenger cars, but is an increasingly common reality in many transport and logistics companies. Their use has become more common and popular in recent years, and is expected to continue to increase in the coming years. Needless to say, it would revolutionise our industry, changing our freight management platforms as well as our processes and needs as businesses. In other words, for many it is an opportunity for change and growth. But we cannot jump headlong into the pool just like that.

First, at Conde Fernández Hermanos we explain what electric trucks mean for our sector and the advantages and disadvantages that you should take into account.

A more sustainable type of transport

The first benefit is one that won’t come as a surprise, because it’s the reason we all know electric transport: it pollutes less. Although it’s not the only reason, implementing electric trucks demonstrates your commitment to reducing the environmental impact of your business activities. It is true that the initial investment is daunting, as it is more than double the cost of buying a diesel truck. In the long run, however, the cost is reduced compared to other vehicles.

If you can overcome this barrier, you take an important step towards improving the sustainability of your fleet. Electric trucks significantly reduce emissions of harmful gases and particulates compared to other types of vehicles. This does not mean that it is zero-emission transport, but it is currently the model that comes closest to that goal. Reducing the carbon footprint is very important, and something that an electric fleet helps with greatly. Not only that, but they are also very quiet trucks, so they also minimise noise pollution.

They are also a safer option than other trucks because, by not relying on fossil fuels, they reduce the risk of leaks and escapes that can cause fires and accidents on the road. It is not that these trucks only rely on electricity, because, once the battery is depleted, they usually rely on a reserve of petrol or diesel fuel. Emphasis on ‘reserve’, because it is a depot for exceptional situations, so the amount of fuel is minimal compared to that of a standard truck.

The costs: lower or higher?

As mentioned above, the initial investment, buying the electric truck for the first time, is more expensive than with other types of transport. However, in the long run, this cost is reduced until it becomes the most cost-effective option for the fleet. But you are probably asking yourself the million-dollar question: how?

You will see the savings mainly in operating costs. This is because the electric truck is smaller in size than a fossil-fuelled truck, as it doesn’t need as large a tank or certain mechanical components. Thus, maintenance and repair do not require the same costs, and, of course, neither does refuelling. We should bear in mind that recently there have been times when petrol and diesel have risen sharply in price, while refuelling stations have not experienced similar fluctuations. In such cases, charging an electric truck has turned out to be 20 % cheaper than filling up a diesel truck.

But at Conde we understand that this presents a very unique problem, and that is that while all petrol stations offer refuelling for both petrol and diesel vehicles, not all of them have charging stations. Fortunately, this is something that is slowly changing, increasing the flexibility of electric trucks and the possible routes that can be taken. However, until this evolution reaches its peak, electric freight transport will continue to rely heavily on large cities, where most of the charging points in Spain are concentrated.

Electric trucks, a solution for the future

The lack of a robust electric charging infrastructure is the main factor holding back the adoption of electric trucks in the road freight sector. This is compounded by the performance and efficiency of batteries, a technology that is constantly being developed, but which today does not meet the minimum lifespan required for companies to operate normally. In urban areas, this is not a major drawback, but for long-distance, national or even international transport, it is impossible to ignore.

This does not mean that electric trucks do not have a promising future in our industry – quite the contrary! One thing we must not forget is that the electric vehicle is a relatively recent solution, which still has a long way to go. It is therefore only a matter of time before the necessary progress is made to make this mode of transport easier for everyone to take up. It is estimated that by 2030 the electric fleet in the sector will have increased by 20%.

At Conde Fernández Hermanos we consider it important to be prepared to make this change, one that, as a road freight transport company, benefits us all and the planet.