Page 40 - Green Builder Nov-Dec 2021 Issue

MONETARY COST OF

ELECTRIC CARS VS. GAS-POWERED

Lifetime maintenance (200,000 miles)

EV: $12,200
GAS-POWERED: $20,200
$20,000
$0
SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Per-mile cost of
vehicle maintenance:

ELECTRIC VEHICLE: HYBRID: PLUG-IN HYBRID: GAS-POWERED:
6.1 CENTS 9.1 CENTS 9.4 CENTS 10.1 CENTS
SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Oscarson says Ford has built its electric truck with
all of these things in mind, and will offer remote obser-
vation and “real-time driver coaching through SYNC
4 voice assistant” for EV trucks belonging to a com-
mercial fleet.
This service mines data from the vehicle and
sends it back to the fleet owner, while also nudging
the driver. As described by a Ford press release: “Any
time a driver exceeds a speed limit, rapidly accelerates,
brakes harshly, leaves the engine running while parked
or fails to fasten a seatbelt, they will receive an in-car
audio message asking them to correct their behavior.”
Oscarson adds that with Ford’s fleet management
software, the vehicle can let the dispatcher know if Low rider. This illustration of the upcoming Ram 1500 electric truck shows some of the
the owners forgets to plug the vehicle in at night, or major differences between EV and fossil fuel-powered pickup trucks: a much smaller motor
if it detects a theft. “It also monitors ‘check engine’ assembly, and a low, heavy center of gravity (due to batteries). COURTESY OF RAM-STELLANTIS
lights,” he says. “Drivers tend to ignore those lights,
which can damage the engine. The same is true of other warn- BRAND HIGHLIGHTS
ings, such as the ‘low tire pressure’ light. You can generate driver Each EV truck maker seems to have doubled down on one or two
behavior scores too. You have all these ways to try to improve the special features. While batteries and range are prerequisite to
safety of the vehicle.” every brand, automakers have taken the opportunity to reimagine
That top-down control may appeal to fleet managers, but for what automobiles can do: from running jobsites to maneuvering
small contracting companies, trades and other construction pros, like a skid steer, to towing heavy gear.
an electric work truck purchase will likely be motivated by self GMC’s Hummer EV, with its short truck bed, has a James Bond-
interest: What can this truck do for me? worthy “crab mode,” which allows all four of the truck’s wheels to

38 GREEN BUILDER November/December 2021 www.greenbuildermedia.com