As the adoption of electric vehicle fleets grows within the industry, some costs follow the benefits. Before responding to these changes as a company, consideration, and research of electric vehicles (EVs) is essential. 

Going Green with EVs

Sustainability and reduced emissions are among the top reasons companies implement EVs. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), electric fleets can help reduce greenhouse gas and carbon emissions by converting energy five times more efficiently than a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. However, these eco-friendly vehicles will deliver much more than reduced emissions. EVs can cut your fuel costs, reduce maintenance needs, improve productivity, and more.

How EVs Save on Fuel and Maintenance Costs

As fuel costs spike nationwide—and because fuel is one of the highest operating costs for fleets, EVs are the next-best budget savers. With the adoption of EVs, fuel costs are pretty much nonexistent. Wakefield Research asked 300 fleet managers why they would purchase an electric vehicle, and over 44% said it would reduce fuel costs.

Additionally, EVs require less maintenance. There are only three types of fluids needed to run EVs: coolant, windshield washer, and brake fluids. EVs do not need oil changes, transmission flushes, or other engine fluid replacements. No need to worry about constant maintenance when EVs keep it simple.

The Costs of EVs

Although these benefits may sound promising, be sure to consider the costs of EVs that follow, such as the initial adoption cost that can be a financial burden. A single EV costs 10 to 40 percent more than a similar gasoline-only model. There also are some unknowns about EV battery life. These batteries aren't known to fail, but they do lose capacity over time. According to Geotab, battery life dwindles about one to three percent of capacity each year. This fact could threaten the longevity of a single EV's life.

Early electric vehicles lacked the range capacity, towing power, and storage capacities required by many fleet operations. Today vehicle manufacturers plan to release larger and even heavy-duty EVs with operating ranges over 300 miles. Yet, these plans are between seven to 10 years away from widespread use. This reality puts many fleets in a holding pattern for adoption.

Therefore, even though industry leaders may convey EVs as a glamorous and productive investment, there are always costs that come with the benefits. Be sure to do your research to decide what best reflects your company's needs before EV adoption. The next step is how to get started with EV adoption.