Anyone actually using these evs?

[RMA87]

Hey folks, I'm hoping to hear from anyone who’s been using EVs in their fleet. How do the vehicles hold up? Has range been an issue? TIA.

 

[thinksnappy2024]

Hello, I have a couple of EV delivery trucks in my fleet, and it’s been a pretty rocky transition. There are nuances to driving this type of EV that needs to be familiarized with, and the charging sync and ‘handshake’ between vehicle system and charger port can and should be stabilized more. I’m feeling it’s still relatively new and these issues will eventually be ironed out. I’m positive for the future, it’s not as simple as simply swapping out a combustible vehicle with the EV, one will just have to be prepared for the switch, and the expected issues that will come with newish tech.

 

[RMA87]

Hello, I have a couple of EV delivery trucks in my fleet, and it’s been a pretty rocky transition. There are nuances to driving this type of EV that needs to be familiarized with, and the charging sync and ‘handshake’ between vehicle system and charger port can and should be stabilized more. I’m feeling it’s still relatively new and these issues will eventually be ironed out. I’m positive for the future, it’s not as simple as simply swapping out a combustible vehicle with the EV, one will just have to be prepared for the switch, and the expected issues that will come with newish tech.

Interesting. How did you get started with the trucks? How long have you been using them? Some of my buddies and I talked about the evs but we're at a loss of how to get into them and if they would even work for us.

 

[KDK]

Interesting. How did you get started with the trucks? How long have you been using them? Some of my buddies and I talked about the evs but we're at a loss of how to get into them and if they would even work for us.

There are agencies and consultants within them that can help. They typically are more helpful once you have a “plan”. Vendors can help but it is not unbiased. There are a handful of independent consultants.

 

[Gary@TwoDaughters]

Yes, we just started a short-term rental of one EV stepvan, as our terminal just had a handful of chargers installed. So far so good...for the first week! Though we missed one day because the driver didn't plug it in all the way, so it didn't charge overnight. Otherwise the driver is still getting used to it, but likes it overall.
Range is not an issue because we put it on a low-mileage route for now. We will test a different route next month. The manufacturer set up weekly calls to go over the vehicle data, which is very helpful. The efficiency, and therefore the range estimate, is in line with the manufacturer's claim, which I am happy about. I think a lot of the operational cost savings depends on the price of electricity. The terminal, which we don't own, will set the price of electricity.
We obviously haven't used it long enough to understand any big-ticket maintenance items that might pop up. With the technology constantly evolving, I think it's worth looking into extended warranties and availability of service personnel (if it breaks down, how soon can they respond? Can they diagnose problems over the internet? How far does it have to get towed, or will they come out?).

 

[KDK]

Yes, we just started a short-term rental of one EV stepvan, as our terminal just had a handful of chargers installed. So far so good...for the first week! Though we missed one day because the driver didn't plug it in all the way, so it didn't charge overnight. Otherwise the driver is still getting used to it, but likes it overall.
Range is not an issue because we put it on a low-mileage route for now. We will test a different route next month. The manufacturer set up weekly calls to go over the vehicle data, which is very helpful. The efficiency, and therefore the range estimate, is in line with the manufacturer's claim, which I am happy about. I think a lot of the operational cost savings depends on the price of electricity. The terminal, which we don't own, will set the price of electricity.
We obviously haven't used it long enough to understand any big-ticket maintenance items that might pop up. With the technology constantly evolving, I think it's worth looking into extended warranties and availability of service personnel (if it breaks down, how soon can they respond? Can they diagnose problems over the internet? How far does it have to get towed, or will they come out?).

There are overlapping solutions to your question(s). I am fairly well connected with vendors and service providers that can address your needs...once you determine your goal(s). I think you are defining a challenge in the ecosystem that will be easier as we mature, as an industry. Unfortunately, there is rarely a single resource or "throat to choke".