Trucking Industry Opinion: Why Electric Trucks May Not Be the Best Idea

The trucking industry is facing new rules from the EPA that might be hard to follow. While we support smart and affordable green initiatives, this one is tough. The EPA wants a quarter of sleeper-cab trucks to be zero-emission by 2032, but there are big challenges with this plan. OOIDA's LandLine Magazine shares insightful information in their article: Move toward electric trucks ‘ignores operational realities’ - Land Line

Here's our opinion:

Technology and Infrastructure Issues

One major problem is that the technology for electric trucks isn’t fully ready yet. These trucks need a lot of electricity, and we don’t have enough charging stations. For example, one truck depot could use as much electricity as a whole town, which is a big problem for power companies.

High Costs for Trucking Companies

Switching to electric trucks is very expensive. A battery-electric truck costs about $400,000, while a diesel truck costs around $180,000. This price difference is a big burden, especially for small trucking companies that can’t afford such expensive trucks. Also, it would cost about $1 trillion to set up the needed charging stations and upgrade the power grid.

Impact on Small Businesses

Small trucking businesses, which make up a big part of the industry, are especially at risk. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) says these new rules could put small truckers out of business. These truckers care about the environment but can’t handle the high costs of electric trucks.

While reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a good goal, pushing for electric trucks right now might not be the best idea. The new rules are seen as impractical and too expensive for trucking companies. Modern trucks have already reduced emissions a lot, and there are big challenges with electric trucks, like technology limits, infrastructure needs, and high costs. A more balanced approach that supports gradual changes to cleaner technologies might work better. This way, we can aim for a greener future without hurting the trucking industry and small businesses.