Electric trucking guide

Required range

Precisely assess your daily kilometer needs. Note: real range often differs from the range announced by manufacturers. Ask yourself the following question: if your truck travels 150 km per day, what percentage of battery will remain at the end of the day? Often, 30 to 40% charge remains, which means the actual maximum range is well above your daily needs.

"You must not assume that an electric truck will meet all needs. Current models have their limits. It is essential to know them well and learn to plan according to these constraints, for electric vehicles as much as for combustion ones." – Martin Casaubon, Vice-President Operations at Les Emballages Carrousel Inc.

Nevertheless, in some cases, the limits of electric trucks are not a major problem for operations.

"At Nationex, for many of our routes, we were able to do a one-for-one electrification, that is, the direct replacement of an internal combustion vehicle with an electric vehicle, and their performance meets our needs," estimates Edwin Richard, director of special projects and sustainability at Nationex.

Charging speed

How much time do you have to recharge your vehicles? Compare the time needed to charge from 20% to 80% with your available parking windows.

Payload capacity

Ensure that the vehicle's payload capacity suits your usual goods. Batteries, often heavy, reduce the available payload, and you need to find the balance between range and the truck's payload capacity.

As Martin Casaubon explains:

"You have to choose the right battery because it is already heavy in itself. The objective is to maximize the paid payload. That's what I look for in carriers: the best possible profitability."

For companies that transport lighter goods, this factor may be less decisive.

Ensure that your future vehicles are compatible with:

• The charging stations you plan to install
• Your existing fleet management software
• The public charging networks in your region

Martin Casaubon of Les Emballages Carrousel Inc. emphasizes the importance of good coordination:

The supply of medium and heavy electric trucks is rapidly expanding in Quebec. Jean-François Brossard paints a nuanced picture of the situation: "For a still young market, I'd say we're well served. In Class 8, there are several options already available: Freightliner, International, Mack, Volvo, Peterbilt and Kenworth, among others. All the big names are there. International is probably the latest arrival, as it has just launched its model."

However, the offering varies a lot depending on the type of vehicle, Mr. Brossard notes: "as for straight trucks – classes 6, 7, 8 – not all manufacturers are present." Furthermore, some models are still awaited: "The ten-wheel straight truck, for example, is not yet on the market. But there is strong demand. People are waiting for that to be able to transport refrigerated goods or heavy loads. Capacity must follow." asserts Jean-François Brossard.

Refrigerated rigid trucks

Jean-François Brossard notes that 100% electric solutions are not yet fully mature in this segment. "Electric refrigeration units are not quite there yet. It's strange to drive an electric truck while your refrigeration system still runs on diesel." He also makes a parallel with another vehicle type: "It's a bit like some school buses that are electrified, while their heating system is still diesel." Nevertheless, some Class 5 100% electric refrigerated models (including the refrigeration unit) are coming to Quebec very soon, notably the Rizon.

Six-wheel trucks

The issue of weight remains a concern. "All manufacturers offer six-wheel trucks, but they have the same problem: they are heavy. And the available payload is low — around 10,000 to 12,000 pounds — which limits their profitability," notes Jean-François Brossard of Location Brossard.

Although this fact sheet focuses on medium and heavy trucks, many types of light electric truck models exist on the market, ranging from pickup trucks to vans. To learn more: click here.

Light truck models

After-sales service plays a crucial role in the user experience.

Jean-François Brossard emphasizes it clearly:

"There is no bad product per se, each has its strengths and weaknesses. As with combustion trucks, you must choose a supplier that offers excellent service; in my opinion, it's fundamental. It's what makes all the difference day to day. There will be repairs, it's inevitable. But beyond the price, it's really the quality of service you're buying, especially when you're still in the learning phase with a new technology."

Martin Casaubon highlights the benefits of working with an established manufacturer.

"Working with a recognized manufacturer offers many advantages. Several parts are already standardized, like a windshield or a mirror, for example. These are components they have in inventory, so we know the costs and they are simpler to replace."

Specific questions about service :

• What is the availability of after-sales service?
• Where are the authorized service centers located?
• What are the lead times for parts delivery?
• What training do you offer our mechanics and staff?

Warranty conditions can vary considerably from one supplier to another. It is essential to understand them well, particularly regarding batteries.

Jean-François Brossard shares his experience:

"Lithium batteries can be warranted up to 12 years, but that represents an additional cost. On our side, we chose to pay extra to get an extended warranty, so that the vehicle is covered from A to Z for five years."

He nevertheless puts the relevance of very long warranties into perspective:

"A 12-year warranty is very expensive. However, you must keep in mind that we will never keep a vehicle, whether combustion or, even less, electric, that long. It's simply not compatible with the business model of a truck lessor."

Questions about warranties :

• What are the conditions for battery replacement?
• Are there usage restrictions that could void the warranty?
• Do you have real-world performance data from other customers?
• Can we test the vehicle under our operating conditions before buying it?

When switching to electric, it is essential to understand the financing options and the support offered. Leasing programs, technical assistance, warranties: these elements play a key role in facilitating the transition and ensuring successful integration into your operations.

Questions about financing :

• What financing options are available?
• Do you offer leasing programs?
• What technical support do you provide during the transition?

An often overlooked yet essential aspect concerns access to performance data. Martin Casaubon of Les Emballages Carrousel Inc. issues a warning:

"If a manufacturer doesn't allow access to the data, for me it's a no. What we want is to be able to learn, analyze our practices and improve. Without that data, we simply cannot move forward."

Also ensure that your supplier gives you full access to telemetry data. It's a valuable tool to optimize vehicle use and continuously adjust your practices.

Charging speed

Martin Casaubon identifies charging speed as a new differentiation criterion between vehicles. This depends, of course, on charger power but also on the truck's ability to accept a faster or slower charging rate.

"The possibility of faster charging becomes a key element that distinguishes some models from others. In our case, we wanted to use the vehicle for double operations, but since we already use the battery at full capacity during the day, it's almost impossible. We knew it from the start, but with the new options coming to the market, we think we'd like to take advantage of them. The more you can exploit the full capacity of the battery, the more profitable the vehicle becomes."

Field tests

Jean-François Brossard of Location Brossard recommends a field approach:

"You can always do test drives with different manufacturers; they'll be happy to offer them to you. But in the end, the vehicles offer fairly similar performance. The main difference is battery capacity. And above all, what makes all the difference is the service. The real issue is the partnership you establish with your supplier."

Do not overestimate capabilities when choosing the vehicle

Jean-François Brossard warns against unrealistic expectations.

"You must not believe that an electric truck will be able to perform all the tasks of a combustion vehicle. That's not the case. For example, if you want to stay within the manufacturer's standards and respect the warranty, you cannot transport extremely heavy loads. That kind of load risks overworking the electric motor, which is simply not designed for that."

Managing seasonal conditions

Martin Casaubon notes the significant variations linked to weather conditions.

"My summer reality is completely different from that of winter. There are days when I tell myself: three months ago I did this route without any problem, but today I might not be able to complete the 25 stops. You then have to adapt the planning or reduce the number of deliveries in certain areas."

This is also an important point to consider when choosing the vehicle.

Best practices to preserve the battery

Jean-François Brossard reminds that manufacturers do not impose strict rules, but make important recommendations to maximize battery life.

"They are mainly warnings. Some experts advise, for example, not to consistently charge to 100%, but rather to 85, 90 or 95% to preserve battery efficiency. Similarly, it's better to avoid dropping below 10% charge when using the vehicle."

These habits have a concrete impact on long-term performance.

"This helps slow the natural degradation of the battery. Yes, there will always be a loss of capacity over the years, but it will be much slower if you avoid extremes like a 100% charge or a full discharge."

• Full ownership of the vehicle
• Recovery of residual value

• Significant capital tied up from the start
• Risk of faster technological obsolescence
• Full responsibility for maintenance and repairs
• Provide for an alternative replacement vehicle in case of an electric vehicle breakdown
• Need to develop in-house expertise (garage, qualified personnel) or find partners who can do it
• Less flexibility to adjust the fleet according to evolving needs
• Resale or disposal of the vehicle at the end of useful life (risk of low residual value)

• Technological flexibility (avoid obsolescence)
• Maintenance often included with an alternative replacement vehicle in case of electric vehicle breakdown
• Ease of upgrading
• Reduction of financial risks
• Access to the lessor's expertise

• Limited choice to the lessor's brands (some lessors, however, offer all brands)
• Potentially higher long-term costs (carefully study the total cost of ownership including hidden expenses)
• Less control over specifications (for short-term leasing)