Jan 29, 2021
There is complexity in estimating a residual value for vehicles when there is not yet any established track record for used battery electric and fuel cell trucks.
Total cost of ownership math, even 10 or 20 years ago, was probably complicated enough. Fleets now considering alternatives like battery electric and hybrid electric tractors have to factor incentives and grants – not just for the truck, but for the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
In addition to the raw cost of the EVSE, there are new costs that may need to factor in for, like getting utility power to EVSE; maintaining and servicing the physical EVSE to keep it operating; maintaining the software for monitoring and efficiently managing the charging of the vehicles; training for all aspects of EVSE; maintaining relationships with the utility providers; maintaining compliance with the fine print in the grants and incentives; contingency costs to change software, connectors, utilities, etc., and downtime costs and lost productivity costs.