The whole transportation industry is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. Volvo Trucks’ goal is for the whole product range to be fossil-free by 2040, to accelerate the transition to more sustainable modes of transportation. Electric trucks will be crucial in achieving this goal. Although it may appear to be an unattainable goal, the transition to electric vehicles is expected to happen considerably faster than most people expect.
The cost of owning an electric vehicle is going down:
Even though an electric truck costs more than a conventional vehicle today, the minimal number of moving parts in an electric engine means that they have longer lifecycles and require less maintenance. Continuous investment in the renewable energy sector is lowering the cost of producing electricity to the point where driving a truck on electricity will be a fraction of the cost of running one on fuel.
Batteries keep getting better:
As the demand for electric vehicles has grown, so has battery innovation. When compared to lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries are about a third of the weight and half the volume. As technology advances, they are getting even lighter and more powerful. With the next generation of batteries, known as solid-state batteries, even more, benefits could be obtained. These batteries charge faster, are safer, and have up to twice the battery density of today’s lithium-ion batteries, potentially doubling the range.
Infrastructure challenges are being addressed:
It is now possible to charge an electric truck for shorter-range activities overnight. While fast-charging truck infrastructure is currently limited, it is growing as cities, logistics centres, automakers, and petrol stations seek to meet growing demand. In addition, emerging technologies such as smart chargers and smart batteries are enabling ultra-fast charging in a wider range of situations.
Electric trucks are becoming the better choice:
As the cost of electric vehicles decreases, choosing electricity may become more than a matter of economics and sustainability. Electric trucks are also gaining popularity among drivers because of their lower vibration levels compared to regular diesel trucks. They’re easier to maneuver, so they’re ideal for city driving and deliveries.
Many people believe that the transition to electric vehicles will be faster than expected. At the very least, there are numerous indicators that this is happening. Electric trucks are already on the road and in use on our streets.