The electrification of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles (MHDEV) is accelerating rapidly. In 2024 alone, fleets added more than 15,000 MHDEVs—a substantial 44% increase from the previous year.
While fleet giants like Amazon and Walmart have grabbed headlines for their ambitious EV deployments, they’re just part of a broader trend. The Environmental Defense Fund reports that 127 fleets introduced their first electric trucks last year, bringing the total to over 330 organizations now operating MHDEVs. Clearly, adopting electric trucks is no longer just for early adopters—it’s now a strategic mainstream choice.
What’s fueling this significant shift? It’s not just the economic and environmental benefits of EVs. Let’s explore the key factors driving electric truck adoption.
Advanced Technology for Electric Trucks
Automakers and tech providers are innovating rapidly to deliver electric trucks that are safer, more efficient, and offer a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).
Battery Improvements Lower Costs and Boost Reliability
Today’s EV truck batteries cost 80% less than a decade ago, thanks to advancements in battery chemistry, cell design, and manufacturing processes. Many manufacturers are transitioning from nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) alternatives. LFP batteries eliminate cobalt—an expensive raw material—making them more affordable and less prone to overheating, enhancing fleet safety.
Emerging chemistries like lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) also promise further cost reductions, improved energy density, and longer lifespans.
Innovative Features for Safer and Simpler Operations
Modern electric trucks come equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and vehicle monitoring technologies, enhancing operational efficiency and safety. Key features include:
- Active brake assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warnings
- Real-time monitoring of battery health, energy consumption, and vehicle performance
These innovations translate into greater uptime, simplified maintenance, and safer driving experiences.
A Growing Range of Electric Trucks
The electric truck market is diversifying rapidly, with a growing number of manufacturers entering the space, providing vehicles tailored for varied use cases and operational needs. For example:
- Daimler’s Freightliner provides Class 6-8 trucks with a range of 180-230 miles per charge, and its Rizon brand offers Class 4 and 5 models with around 160 miles of range.
- Toyota, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Isuzu, Mack, and Tesla are also actively releasing or finalizing Class 8 electric trucks.
Additionally, specialized electric models are now available for:
- Waste collection
- Construction and utility services, including bucket trucks
- Port logistics
Smart Charging Infrastructure
Vehicle innovation alone isn’t enough—effective charging infrastructure is critical. Depot charging is emerging as the most practical and efficient solution for MHDEV fleets.
Expert electric fuel providers, such as Electrada, offer fully capitalized, performance-guaranteed depot-based solutions customized for fleet-specific needs. Electrada’s flagship 360 Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS), part of the Electrada Electric Fuel solutions suite, simplifies charging operations, enhances reliability, and allows fleet managers to focus on their core business rather than charging infrastructure complexities.
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