24 • SPOTLIGHT • SUMMER 2018
Electric Lorries
CHANGING L FACE OF
THE OGISTICS Back in November 2017, Elon Musk unveiled the arrival of the T
Tesla Semi, which he hopes will muster out the traditional diesel engines to become the primary HGV for the logistics sector.
his highly anticipated product is said to have a range of 500 miles on a single charge, and achieve 0-60mph in only 20 seconds, even with a trailer in tow. All being
well, Tesla hope to start production in 2019 – but how will this affect the logistics market? Tere is an argument to suggest that the
main attraction for adopting a fleet of Tesla Semis is the reduced operational cost in comparison with diesel lorries, which would likely have a positive effect on a company’s bottom line. Research suggests that the cost of power that these Tesla HGVs will take from the grid is around 70% cheaper than diesel fuel. It is also true that autonomous driving technology will lead to genuine efficiencies in the industry through platooning, remote operation, or full automation. On top of that, the Tesla Semi has more power than the traditional diesel engine, so will have a reduced delivery time. Tere is however a considerable upfront
payment to purchase a fleet of Tesla Semis, which can take a number of years to recover through the reduced operational cost.
It can be argued that companies are more likely to buy into the sustainability credentials of the Tesla Semi rather than its financial benefits. According to research by Statista in 2015,
HGVs were the second biggest contributor to transport-related greenhouse gases. Te adoption of Tesla Semis will ultimately contribute to a company’s corporate social responsibilities, and it will ensure they stand out from their competitors by offering a ‘greener’ approach to logistics.
Will we ever see these Tesla lorries on our roads? Te main issue standing in the way of this new line of road freight is infrastructure; there is still some considerable improvements needed in the electric car market, notably the number of charging stations, and more importantly the time taken to ‘refill the tank’. Tese issues need to be overcome before the electric HGV market can realistically take off. Although the logistics operators are more
than likely to facilitate the charging of their delivery vehicles within their respective depots, this could subsequently lead to another issue. Significant costs will be required to service or upgrade each existing depot with enough power for charging capabilities. In addition,
Colliers International
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