California Air Resources Board

Learn the Basics of Battery Electric Vehicles  

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are available today for many commercial fleet applications. Battery technology continues to improve. As a result, these vehicles can drive farther, can be cheaper to operate, and can charge at more stations. 

Vehicles 

Battery electric vehicles use electricity stored in a battery to power the electric motor. BEVs charge by plugging into electric vehicle charging equipment.  They have no exhaust pollution. Today’s commercial BEVs can meet the daily needs of many fleets such as delivery, service, transit, and vocational applications. 

There are many types of battery electric vehicles 

Medium- and heavy-duty battery electric vehicles come in a wide and growing range of models. More than 170 zero-emission trucks, vans, and buses are available from dozens of manufacturers. Visit Find Zero-Emission Vehicles | ZEV TruckStop to search available vehicles. 

Battery electric vehicles work for many fleets 

Many battery electric trucks today can travel 150-300+ miles on a full charge. Some can reach up to 500 miles. BEVs are a particularly good fit for short regional daily routes that return to a depot. Fleets should choose trucks and plan charging to match their duty cycles and operational needs. 

There are a few things to consider before choosing battery electric vehicles 

Battery electric vehicles can be a good fit for many fleets. Before investing, consider the following: 

• Make sure the vehicles can travel far enough on a full charge for your daily routes. 
• Plan where and when vehicles will be charged. 
• Allow enough time to plan and install charging equipment. 
• Compare vehicles and charging costs and look for available incentives. 
• Work with your local electric utility to make sure your facility has enough power for charging.  

Benefits 

Battery electric vehicles offer several advantages, and many drivers say they prefer driving them. 

• Lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to diesels.
• Quiet operation with less vibration.  
• Instant torque and responsive performance. 
• Regenerative braking helps improve efficiency and reduces brake wear. 
• No diesel fumes in the cabin.  
• Zero exhaust pollution while driving.  
• A growing number of commercial models are available for a wide range of applications. 
• Public charging near ports and along freight corridors is expanding.  
• Battery electric trucks can save money compared to diesel trucks 

Battery electric trucks usually cost less to charge compared to fueling with diesel. They also have fewer moving parts, which means lower maintenance costs. Incentives can also help bring down the higher upfront price of a zero-emission truck. This makes the total cost of ownership more affordable for many fleets. Check out this recent Cal Fleet Advisor webinar “Driving Down Costs with ZEVs” to learn more.  

Charging 

There are many options to charge battery electric vehicles 

Battery electric vehicles charge by plugging into electric vehicle charging equipment. Charging time depends on the size of the vehicle's battery and the type of charger. 

There are several charging options available today to meet the needs of many fleets. Fleets can install charging equipment at their own facilities, use public charging or use a number of other options such as mobile charging and subscription services. Public charging continues to expand along major freight corridors and near ports. 

If a fleet plans to install its own charging equipment, it's important to start early. Utility upgrades, permits, and construction can take time. Learn more about charging at Charging & Fueling | ZEV TruckStop.