Explore the glossary below and take the guesswork out of going electric!
Battery-electric vehicle:
A vehicle powered by electricity stored in batteries. Commonly referred to as BEVs, these vehicles don’t produce tailpipe emissions or have an internal combustion engine, and they rely solely on electric motors. They require charging through an electric connection instead of gasoline.
Charging depot:
A central facility where fleet operators can charge multiple electric vehicles. EVs are often charged overnight or during downtime to improve efficiency, so they’re fully powered and ready for routes.
Charging infrastructure:
The network of charging stations and other technology needed to support electric vehicles. This could include everything from public chargers on interstates to fleet-specific setups.
Demand charges:
Fees a business incurs based on peak electricity usage. The utility companies bill the charges based on the maximum amount of electricity (in kilowatts) a company uses at any given time during the billing period, rather than the total amount of energy consumed (in kilowatt-hours). Demand charges occur most often when fleets charge at high power levels or use fast chargers.
Eco-routing:
The process of using navigation systems to prioritize routes that minimize energy consumption and maximize battery usage. Fleet operators can use real-time data or telematics to identify the most energy-efficient paths based on data such as traffic patterns and charging locations.
Electrification:
The process of transitioning vehicles, equipment, and systems from fossil fuel-based energy to electric-powered solutions. The goal is usually to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
Energy density:
A measurement of how much energy a vehicle’s battery can store relative to its weight or volume. Higher energy density means longer ranges and better performance.
Hybrid vehicle:
A truck or vehicle that uses two power sources – both a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and an electric motor. While hybrid vehicles are more fuel efficient and produce fewer emissions than gas or diesel vehicles, they are not zero emissions like BEVs.
Hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle:
A vehicle that uses a fuel cell to convert hydrogen into electricity, which then powers an electric motor to drive the vehicle. Known as FCEVs, they offer similar emissions and energy benefits as BEVs. Refueling is faster (similar to the time it takes to fill gas in a truck) and ranges are often longer than battery-electric vehicles, but hydrogen fueling infrastructure is limited to date.
Kilowatt-hour:
A measurement of the total amount of electricity stored or consumed, often abbreviated as kWh. This measurement is critical for trucking executives to understand battery capacity and electric fleets’ charging needs.
Level 1, 2, 3 charging:
Different charging speeds for electric vehicles, where 1 is the slowest and 3 is the fastest. Level 1 charging uses a standard household outlet and provides slow charging, typically adding just two to five miles of range per hour. Level 2 is faster with a dedicated 240V outlet. Level 3, also known as DC fast charging, uses direct current at high power to quickly charge batteries. They can add up to 80% charge in 20 to 40 minutes.
Miles per gallon equivalent:
This is often abbreviated as MPGe and is a metric used to compare the energy efficiency of electric vehicles with traditional gas-powered vehicles. Gasoline has an energy content of 33.7 kWh, so if an EV can travel 100 miles on 33.7 kWh, its MPGe would be 100. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient.
Payload capacity:
The maximum weight a vehicle can carry. Payload capacity is particularly significant in the context of EVs and trucking, because EVs often have heavy battery systems, which lowers their payload compared to diesel trucks. Fleet managers have to consider payload when deciding if a lower weight of freight or multiple trips to one location makes sense from a financial standpoint.
Range:
The maximum distance an electric vehicle can travel on a full charge. Myriad factors impact range, including driving conditions (like hills), the weather, battery capacity, and driver habits, such as aggressive driving or using more A/C or heat.
Regenerative braking:
A technology that captures energy from braking to recharge the battery. Regenerative braking can extend a vehicle’s range and also reduce wear and tear on brake pads. It’s also found to be easier on driver’s knees, reducing injuries and even surgeries.
Total cost of ownership:
The overall estimated cost of owning and operating a vehicle. For an electric truck, this can include purchase price, maintenance, and charging expenses. TCOs help business leaders decide if EVs are the right investment for their fleet, because the analysis takes a holistic and long-term look at costs versus benefits.
