Passenger electric cars get all the press, especially when someone launches one into space. But something important is going on in the world of commercial vehicles as well. Last year Tesla announced it would produce an electric long-haul big rig. PepsiCo, Walmart, and UPS promptly committed to buying a few hundred. More recently, UPS made an important announcement about its plans to roll out 50 new midsize electric delivery trucks in Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
Inside UPS’s Electric Vehicle Strategy
There are benefits for operations, efficiency, and the brand.
March 29, 2018
Summary.
Something important is going on in the world of commercial vehicles. Recently, UPS made an important announcement about its plans to roll out 50 new midsize electric delivery trucks in Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles. The headline is that, for the first time, the electric trucks are expected to cost the company no more than regular diesel vehicles. But there’s a second part of the story that’s not being touted enough. These new trucks will create significant additional value for the business in ongoing operational savings, improved routing efficiency, and brand building. In short, the electric vehicles are much better than just a break-even proposition. Other companies need to realize this and follow UPS’s lead.