Electric trucks: Key for reduced logistics costs, carbon neutrality

Electric vehicles (EVs) have received a lot of attention in recent years. EVs have existed for a while, but their popularity and demand has exploded over the past five years. There is no doubt that electric cars are the future, as they are environmentally friendly, aiming to reduce fuel consumption and pollution, and are the perfect choice for the upcoming 100 smart cities of the country.

According to a report by NITI Aayog and the Rocky Mountain Institute, India can reduce transportation costs by 4% of GDP by 2030 and reduce CO2 emissions by 10 gigatons (Gt) by using clean technologies, including electric vehicles.

The numbers also look good because logistics companies across the country are making sure the transport is safe. The logistics industry has invested heavily in electric vehicles (EVs) to make its operations profitable and efficient.

Electric vehicles have also proven to be a worthwhile investment because of the link between transportation and electric vehicles. The government’s subsidy program and various economic factors have greatly influenced the use of sustainable vehicles for freight, goods, and packages.

Can electric vehicles be the future?
The trucking industry has expanded with significant developments including improved communications, increased demand and supply, and greater mechanization.

The road transport industry in India is expected to reach $330 billion by 2025 with an 8% CAGR over the next three years. But consider the pollution caused by vehicles produced on Indian roads and that trucks are an essential part of transportation. It's time for Indian logistics companies to decide how to transport trucks.

Electric trucks in logistics
The transportation industry is turning to electric trucks to increase freight transport efficiency. The development of batteries and next-generation generators can support the use of electric vehicles in urban logistics by delivering orders to the physical point of sale or home. Last-mile delivery, one of the costliest and most polluting stages in the supply chain, could be optimised with electric trucks. By not using fossil fuels, these vehicles can reduce logistics costs and thus reduce the impact of shipping on the retail price.

E-commerce integration has increased not only domestic delivery but also transportation in big cities due to reverse logistics. Today, many trucks with electric motors drive around the city, delivering goods to customers, picking up returned goods and returning them to warehouses. . Electric trucks will reduce the cost of these journeys and enable businesses to use more sustainable logistics strategies.

How can electric vehicles help protect the environment?
Accelerating India's electrification by introducing electric vehicles will help reduce emissions of 15 million tons of nitrous oxide, 500 kg of pollutants and 10 gigatons of carbon dioxide from the logistics and transport sector. It can also reduce our oil consumption in the last few years by at least 950 million tons. Although the rate of electric vehicles in the logistics sector is low, electric vehicles can appear in the last mile delivery mainly due to fast delivery, short and necessary features of the job.

The electric car revolution is inevitable, and we've seen international companies enter the market to achieve their sustainability goals.

Benefits for business
The next-generation electric vehicles will likely be safer than current petrol and diesel vehicles, in part because they come with new safety and security features. Some EVs have the ability to use renewable energy to convert the vehicle's kinetic energy into electricity, reducing some of the risks to drivers, particularly "runaway vehicles." This returns electrical energy to the battery and reduces the need for conventional braking, allowing the driver to remain in control even in an emergency.

Like many new cars, some EV models feature emergency braking, forward collision warning, automatic lane keeping and enhanced traction control. It also saves fuel costs, has a positive effect on people's pockets and air, and reduces pollution.

Current challenges
As in most industries, rising commodity prices have affected global automotive production, slowing production and increasing costs. There is also a lack of payment facilities across the country and payment times are often long.

Semi trucks are the best starting point for solving real estate payment problems because they often make the same trips multiple times, so payment facilities can be set up before the main road or next to the office to avoid disruption. When charging stations are located in accessible locations, EV owners will spend less and earn more over time.

Adopting sustainable trucking practices of the future
As more businesses use better solutions for their operations, positive results such as lower costs and better access to services may not be achieved. Reducing reliance on oil makes companies less vulnerable to cuts because they are not dependent on imported oil and are not affected by commodity crises. As technology evolves, electric cars are attracting the attention of brands to find a new mode of transportation and the way to the future.

Trucking is an important part of the global economy and will continue to be important as shipping companies become aware of the many innovations available.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Indian Transport & Logistics News.