Find the ideal vehicle for your fleet with Portland commercial vehicle leasing solutions from Glesby Marks.
Does your fleet have sustainability goals? Choosing electric vehicles (EV’s) for Portland commercial vehicle leasing may help you achieve them! New innovations are making incredible strides toward providing practical EV’s for commercial applications, and many automakers have initiatives in place to provide more electric options.
Is Electric the Future of Portland Commercial Vehicle Leasing?
The auto industry has been talking about alternative fuels for a long time, with electric being one of the most popular. A lot of consumers have made the switch to electric already, but more and more fleets are following suit, from government fleets to large corporations like Amazon. Even big-name auto makers like Tesla, Volvo, and Ford are getting into the commercial EV game. In fact, some experts estimate that 10-15% of all fleet vehicles will be electric by 2030. Therefore, there’s a good chance that electric will become a standard option for Portland fleet leasing before long.
Pros and Cons of Electric Fleet Vehicles
As EV’s become more popular and accessible, more are choosing electric and hybrid options. It’s easy to see why, though they do have some drawbacks.
One benefit of switching to EV’s for your fleet is that they can be more cost-effective. First, electricity is cheaper than gas based on national average costs. However, more than that, EV’s are also significantly cheaper and easier to maintain. They don’t need regular oil changes, transmission flushes, and other maintenance services like traditional vehicles. Typically the main thing you’ll need to worry about is replacing the battery, but even most of those come with a 100,000 warranty.
Also, switching to electric might offer other financial benefits. For instance, tax credits might apply for your business if you own electric fleet vehicles. However, even if you choose to lease, you might be eligible for Oregon’s rebate for installing electric vehicle charging ports.
However, there are still a few drawbacks. For instance, upfront costs. The cost savings from using electricity instead of gas and fewer maintenance requirements may offset initial costs over time. However, EV’s are still generally more expensive up front than their gas-powered counterparts.
In addition, in many areas the infrastructure may be lacking in charging ports for EV’s. While you can charge an electric vehicle with a standard wall outlet, it takes about 10 or more hours. Fast-charging stations are scarce in some parts of the country, and even in Oregon the number of gas stations outnumber EV charging stations. Therefore, this is something to keep in mind if you’re considering switching to electric for your fleet.
Types of Electric Vehicles
Keep in mind that there are different EV options that might be suitable for your fleet. There are three main types of electric vehicles: battery electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Each of these types uses electricity in one way or another, but offer different pros and cons, particularly for fleets.
Battery electric vehicles (BEV’s) are electric only vehicles. They offer zero emissions and the most savings in maintenance because they have fewer moving parts. They also only use three types of fluids: coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. However, these do come with a limited range. While range for EV’s is getting better, the average is still about 200 miles, so it’s not great for long-haul trips. They might also require more planning from a fleet management perspective, since charging stations are still less plentiful than gas stations.
Hybrid vehicles still use gas as a fuel source, but use an electric motor. The battery for the motor is charged by the combustion engine as well as regenerative braking. Regenerative braking essentially means every time one of your drivers steps on the break, that energy gets recycled into the battery. While fuel efficiency is higher for hybrid vehicles, they still run on gasoline.
Plug-in hybrids are like a compromise between BEV’s and hybrids. You can charge these vehicles at a charging station like a BEV, and it runs like a BEV. However, once the battery starts getting low, then it uses gas to power the car.
Fleet Management & Leasing Solutions Since 1976
No matter what your commercial vehicle needs are, our fleet experts at Glesby Marks are here to provide solutions that suit your fleet and budget! We’re an independent fleet vehicle leasing company, which means we work with all different manufacturers to get you the vehicles you need for success. We also offer ongoing support to help your fleet succeed. Whether you need new fleet vehicles or Seattle fleet management solutions, our team is here to help nationwide. Call us now at (800) 482-9498 to get started!