Holistic Energy Efficiency: Fleet Electrification
Internal combustion is out
As the single largest source of carbon emissions in the United States, the transportation sector accounted for 1.7 billion metric tons of CO2 in 2021. In order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and accommodate changing regulations on vehicle emissions, the transportation sector must decarbonize and move towards electrification fast. Across the US, states and local governments are incentivizing businesses and individuals alike to either purchase or convert their internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles. Plus, with gas car bans on the horizon, going electric will become a necessity before long. The confluence of these forces and more mean the best time to electrify your fleet is now.
Electric vehicles are carbon-efficient and cost-effective
Beyond the carbon emissions required to produce the car, electric vehicles do not emit CO2, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles. Their life-cycle emissions pale in comparison to those of an internal combustion engine vehicle, even when accounting for the highly greenhouse gas-intensive minerals sometimes required of them. California is a leading state when it comes to acknowledging and acting on this reality. As of January 1, 2023, CA Senate Bill 1 bans all diesel semi-trucks weighing over 14,000 pounds and built before 2010 from driving on California roads. The Western States Trucking Association estimates that around 40,000 trucks in the state are older than 2010, meaning many small trucking companies need to make upgrades now, or risk losing their vehicles’ registration. The state is taking things even further in 2035, when all new passenger and light duty trucks sold will need to be electric.
Thanks to the variety of incentives available across the US, in addition to the federal support recently implemented as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), electric vehicles are now an economic choice for both individuals and businesses alike. With upfront rebates like the $7,500 IRA electric vehicle rebate, and extra benefits like state sales tax exemptions, consumers can get electric vehicles for largely reduced prices.
The savings go beyond the initial sticker price, however - study after study has shown that on a monthly basis, electric vehicle drivers can save upwards of $200 as compared to their internal combustion engine vehicle-driving peers.
Fleet electrification for the business owner
With all of this said, business owners with vehicle fleets need to consider the switch to electric as soon as possible. With states across the country offering a variety of incentives to purchase or convert their vehicles to electric drivetrains, and plenty of innovative companies offering conversion services or DIY kits, business owners have all the resources they need to electrify their vehicle fleets.
Charge your fleet with onsite solar and storage
Your new electric vehicle fleet will need power, and what better way to lock in fuel prices than with an onsite solar and storage system. By installing a solar energy system, you can rely on consistent energy costs for charging your fleet, and avoid the price fluctuations that come as a result of a volatile energy market. Pair that solar system with energy storage, and you have a backup source of energy for those cloudy days. An onsite solar and energy storage system can drive your fleet electrification savings through the roof, and even support the rest of your operations when you aren’t fueling up your fleet.
Our holistic approach
Promise Energy understands that every business operation has unique needs, especially when it comes to those with vehicle fleets to manage. From charging your fleet with solar energy, to feeding back into your energy storage system, energy consumption and efficiency plays a driving role in how much profit you turn every month. Promise’s holistic approach to energy is what differentiates us from the crowd, and you can count on our energy experts to custom-design a system to meet the unique energy needs of your business.
Ready to see how you can help support your business with solar and storage? Contact Promise Energy at info@promiseenergy.com for a complementary evaluation.
At Promise Energy, we don’t believe that one size fits all. We pride ourselves in designing and installing customized energy solutions that provide the greatest long-term value and energy control for our customers.