Fleets and businesses that use ZEVs save money and improve the driver experience. For example, electric trucks increase fleet efficiency and create new lifetime operational savings by lowering maintenance costs and reducing fuel costs. In addition, ZEVs produce less noise and fewer fumes, improving quality of life for truck drivers. A ZEV transition also brings new recruitment and retention opportunities, as well as business growth, as more drivers and customers prioritize companies with clean energy operations. ZEVs also improve public health and combat climate change. These trucks dramatically improve air quality for the communities surrounding truck yards and fleet routes by eliminating emissions and reducing health risks and costs associated with poor air quality.

To accelerate and facilitate the adoption of ZE trucks, some fleets are able to access voucher incentive programs that bring down upfront costs on vehicles proven to reduce air pollution and support climate change mitigation goals. These may be offered by the local utility, or at the city, county, and state levels. Knowing what incentives are available in your area and how you might qualify for them can paint a clearer picture of what to expect to pay when you are ready to transition. Some programs even offer additional incentives if you operate in a community particularly vulnerable to air pollution due to geographic and socioeconomic factors. Many vehicle fleets in Massachusetts are now eligible for purchase incentives through MOR-EV, offered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. For more information, visit: https://mor-ev.org/

Visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center to search for federal and state incentive programs in your area.

Finding the electric truck best suited for your fleet starts with understanding how your current vehicle needs translate to a ZEV. Route data and fleet telematics like location, total mileage, and vehicle uptime and downtime can help you zero in on the right model. For instance, EVs are perfect for trucks with significant idle time because they use zero energy while idling, whereas diesel trucks use fuel even when idling.

When picking the right ZE truck for your duty cycle and business model, fleets might need to consider a different truck class. If you’re currently running your truck at maximum payload, you may need to consider moving to the next class of electric vehicle. With every major manufacturer offering their own version of an electric truck, you now have more options than ever before. Connecting with an approved, local dealer will be crucial for understanding the current state of the ZE truck market and the timelines needed to complete and receive orders. Your local dealer can also assist with cost comparisons between different products and break down lifetime costs as compared to your conventionally fueled vehicles.

The Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) tool is an online resource used for cataloging worldwide, commercially available offerings of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. ZETI provides comprehensive information, including regions where certain brands are available for purchase, timelines for future models, and model specifications and details.

There’s a common misconception that purchasing a ZEV is a one and done solution, which often can leave fleets with an expensive new asset and no plan in place to maintain the purchase over time. Those considering a transition to an electric fleet should take the time upfront to understand and plan future infrastructure logistics, like utility upgrade costs and timelines for charger installation, to optimize the transition.

Fleet managers should also evaluate building and land configurations to get a sense of necessary upgrades—from trenching and laying down conduit, to additional energy storage. While it may seem trivial, things like charger location really matter. Chargers should be placed based on driver behavior so you can accommodate the end user and unlock maximum efficiency. This will also allow you to anticipate potential scaling needs should your fleet continue to expand.

The MOR-EV Trucks Rebate is available for individuals and private businesses who procure electric vehicles. The application process is simple and has no additional requirements. Visit the program website for more information and an application request; Massachusetts residents buying or leasing an electric vehicle in classes 2B-8 should apply within 3 months of procurement.