The future of electric: how will the market be ready?
Battery-electric commercial vehicles (BEVs) are an attractive option for a variety of reasons – for specific use cases they may offer a lower total cost of ownership (TCO), are better for the environment, and support a new, globally competitive American industry.
With nearly 30,000 commercial BEVs already on the road in logistics hubs and providing support along strategic freight corridors, the train has left the station, and the shift to electric transport is underway.
The move, while promising, may seem daunting; how will the varying stakeholders ready the market for our inevitable electric future? Through collaboration and precise coordination.
Utilities: powering the change
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, utilities are motivated to lean in. They are adopting proactive grid planning strategies to meet fleets’ needs today and that can support the eventual wholesale shift to commercial BEV operations.
Collaboration and communication are critical for utilities to understand commercial fleets’ charging location needs, usage patterns, and load forecasts. Partnerships between utilities and vehicle manufacturers, commercial fleets, and charging developers will smooth, shape, and set the pace for the transition.
Truck makers: driving innovation
Manufacturers have led the way with heavy investments in technology and vehicles, introducing a variety of electric trucks suitable for a range of applications; they continue to design and release products relevant to the market and that support the transition. With an eye to continuous improvement, they’ve centered on enhancing battery technology and expanding production capacity.
Early to recognize downstream challenges, truck makers have offered solutions to address TCO concerns and weighed in on infrastructure strategies and policies that support a market-driven transition. Most manufacturers have also provided step-by-step recommendations for utility collaboration, readying your team, and even assisting with scalable infrastructure design to help manage your fleet.
They’re rising to the challenge of striking a balance between maintaining commonality with conventional trucks and delivering the benefits a BEV has to offer. Differences between electric powertrains and diesels mean BEVs not only require different components, transmissions, and new systems, but they also require a new approach to planning.
Charging infrastructure solutions providers: building for the future
Developing charging infrastructure is time-intensive, costly and complex, and planning should start as early as possible.
Charging infrastructure developers and solutions providers, who understand commercial fleets’ specific size, location, and power requirements, have invested billions of dollars in developing public, private and mixed-used charging stations to ensure commercial fleets have easy access to affordable power.
In 2024, Voltera, for example, brought America’s largest charging station for heavy-duty trucks online near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and Prologis opened a heavy-duty EV charging hub powered by a microgrid in Torrance, California—the largest of its kind in North America. Meanwhile, Greenlane is building a 280-mile corridor of commercial electric vehicle charging stations from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
The future of electric is here and you can be a part of the solution: lend your voice to industry leaders committed to driving the transportation revolution forward. Join PACT and be part of the conversation now.