As a tradesperson, you likely drive a lot. Over the course of a day, that mileage can really add up. With gas prices reaching record highs across the country, you might suddenly be putting way more money toward gas than you had budgeted for.
One way to reduce your fuel costs and help your business stay more profitable is by switching to an electric vehicle. Whether you need a whole fleet of electric vans or just a few electric cars, here’s a closer look at why the switch from gas-powered to electric vehicles could work in your favor.
Why The Shift to Electric Cars?
There are two main reasons tradespeople are making the switch to new electric vehicles — sustainability and gas prices.
Sustainability
An EV releases far fewer emissions than comparable gas or diesel vehicles, meaning you’ll be doing your part to help address the climate crisis.
Many states, including California and New York, even have policies in place to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in an effort to stop climate change. Switching over to an electric car now will give you a head start on the competition.
Gas Prices
We’ve all seen the numbers go up at the pump. And unfortunately, it doesn’t look like they’re going down any time soon. The war in Ukraine, tensions with Russia and China, high refining costs, and extreme weather have all caused a decrease in the global oil supply.
Paired with increased demand, the oil market will likely stay turbulent for some time. That’s why now is a better time than ever to look into electric trucks for your business.
Demand For Electric Vehicles For The Trades
While the trade world isn’t clamoring for brand-new Tesla cars, it is on the search for something more efficient and environmentally friendly. Diesel and gas car and trucks just aren’t cutting it anymore.
Global Demand
The demand for electric commercial vehicles is hot all around the world. In 2017, there were over one million electric vehicles sold. The EV market jumped to 2.8 million vehicles in just two short years. And experts estimate that we could see 8.5 million sales by 2025 and a whopping 54 million by 2040.
Why an Electric Vehicle Makes Sense For The Trades
So what do EVs have to offer service companies specifically? One cool feature a lot of electric-powered trucks have is onboard power tools, making it a lot easier to do remote work.
Many can also supply emergency power, which can be helpful if you’re working in a space where electricians are also installing at the same time — or you forgot to charge your batteries.
All in all, more than eight in 10 tradespeople would switch to electric vans for their business — whereas only more than half of the general population would do so.
Driving Tradesmen To Go Eco-Friendly
In countries like Great Britain, the government is planning to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. This means driving tradesmen will have to really step up their game, as van usage accounts for 16% of all road traffic in that country.
However, the government is helping to ease the financial burden of buying a new vehicle with the Plug-In Car Grant, which offers drivers up to £8,000 reimbursement.
In the United States, businesses have fewer incentives to switch to electric. But, the federal government does offer income tax credits of up to $7,500 per vehicle, and many states have incentive programs to encourage those in the transportation and delivery industries to switch to an electric model.
Which Are the Most Range-Efficient Electric Vans and Trucks?
Are you thinking of switching to electric vans in the next five years or next decade? If so, here are some of the top models currently available from U.S. automakers.
No, you won’t see a Tesla model on here yet — the world’s most famous EV brand hasn’t tapped into the production of electric work vans yet.
2022 Ford E-Transit Van – 126 Miles
Ford is a well-known player in the commercial van game, so it makes sense that they’d also have one of the best electric delivery vans. With seating for two, this cargo van can go 126 miles on a full charge.
It also comes with a 2.4kW power source for all your tools and a maximum payload of 3,800 pounds. You can also use one of Ford’s 75,000 chargers across the country if you need to top off throughout the day.
BrightDrop Zevo 600 – 250 Miles
With a solid 250-mile range, the BrightDrop Zevo 600 should offer more than enough mileage for a long day of appointments. It has zero tailpipes emissions and has an integrated software platform that connects to your entire fleet.
The vans come with over 600 cubic feet of storage space and a 2,200-pound payload. They’re also packed with safety features like an HD rear vision camera and front pedestrian braking to keep your drivers safe.
Canoo Multi-purpose Delivery Vehicle – 230 miles
While the Canoo MPDV is still in production, with an expected launch date in early 2023, it could be an amazing choice for businesses. It gets you 230 miles on an 80 kWh battery, all with 30% more parcel volume than other leading delivery vans.
If we were you, keep an eye out for updates for this vehicle. If all goes right during the manufacturing process, you might be able to purchase a Canoo van and have it delivered to you next year!
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Truck – 320 Miles
As far as trucks go, you can’t beat the Ford F-150 Lightning’s 320-mile range. This is achieved with an extended battery — if you opt for the standard battery, you’ll still get an impressive 230 miles. The system can offload up to 9.6kW of power — enough to power a house during an outage for up to three days.
This Ford truck also comes with a 2,235-pound maximum payload and has up to a 10,000-pound towing capacity for lugging around accessories or other vehicles. Your company will also love the fast charge system that can fully charge a truck in about eight hours.
FieldPulse | Field Service Management Software
When you upgrade to an EV fleet, you’ll be doing your part for the environment — and your company’s wallet. While the the good news is that the EV car industry is only expected to grow. Canoo is just one example of the many different types of vehicles you will be able to purchase in the coming years.
Of course, once you upgrade your transport infrastructure, you’ll need to make sure the rest of your company’s technology is up to snuff. That’s where FieldPulse can help.
We offer an all-in-one field service software that takes care of automating your scheduling, payments, and more. Enjoy easy customer management, dispatching, and invoicing, all from the same software.
Ready to learn more? Book a demo or start a free trial today!
