Electric pickup trucks simply didn’t exist – at least en masse – until a few months ago, as the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV both launched in a short span. Those models have since been joined by the Ford F-150 Lightning, which will be followed by the Chevy Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Tesla Cybertruck, and a number of other electric pickup trucks in a quickly expanding market. One of the bigger selling points of these EV pickups is lower maintenance costs – particularly for fleets – but now, a new study from Geotab has discovered just how much money commercial customers might save by going electric.
Back in October of 2021, Geotab conducted a fleet electrification study with Enterprise Fleet Management that analyzed over 91,000 of that company’s vehicles and subjected them to its EV Suitability Assessment (EVSA). It found that EV pickups could viably replace around 45 percent of that fleet, while 76 percent didn’t travel far enough to require a charge, based on currently available models like the F-150 Lightning.
A grand total of 49 percent of the ICE fleet vehicles analyzed traveled no more than 280 miles in a day, which is less than the stated range of the F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, Silverado EV, Cybertruck, and Hummer EV. Next, the study focused on whether or not EV pickups are economically viable, as they cost more up front but offer lower maintenance costs and are cheaper to “fuel.”
The answer to that question, it seems, depends on how much the truck is driven – if it doesn’t travel many miles, the cost savings of upgrading to an EV are negligible, while fleet vehicles that cover longer distances can easily make up for the additional upfront cost in short order. Geotab found that 45 percent of fleet vehicles could present an average lifetime savings of $4,000 per vehicle over a seven-year lifespan, or $6,500 when government incentives are included.
Ultimately, this means that under the right circumstances, fleet operators could save a pretty tremendous amount of money in the long run by making the switch to electric pickup trucks, though results may vary, obviously.
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It shows a lot of promise thus far.
He apparently tuned his pickup and now needs pricey repairs.
A nifty way to conceal additional lighting sources when they aren't needed.
The resulting mine will churn out massive amounts of the material when it's finished.
Not much has changed on that front.
A nice little touch under the hood.
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I never put faith in articles that push a new cutting edge and volatile technology. manufacturers are quick to push unproven platforms and disappear even faster when promises don't pan out. let someone else work the bugs out and deal with the growing pains.
This would work if manufactures would build fleet EV vehicles. The article states, "an average lifetime savings of $4,000 per vehicle over a seven-year lifespan, or $6,500 when government incentives are included". The base price for a F150 lightning is $9,000 more that a F150 XL.
How does it work in California if you opt for a fleet of electric vehicles and CA cuts electricity at their whim and fancy? So you plug in overnight, CA cuts the electric and you return in the morning to a fleet of dead vehicles. What will your customers do?
We don't have the Infrastructure nor the Grid Capacity to Power a Nation of Drivers.
With A move to Electrics. The Gov't will give Power to the EPA to Ban Personal Ownership of Vehicles . Then Force People to use Public Transportation.