The need for electric trucks is on the rise. The United States Department of Energy predicts that up to 40% of all truck sales will be electric by 2040, and even if we don’t reach that goal, it still means that the market will be dominated by them in less than 15 years. We know electric cars have taken off in recent years, and many people see this as a step forward for our planet. It makes sense – how else can we reduce pollution, save money and support the environment all at once?
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Reduced Emissions | Limited Range |
High Performance | Availability of Charging Stations |
Reduced Maintenance | High Cost Of Ownership |
No Noise Pollution | Charging Takes Longer |
Convenient Charging At Home | Expensive Battery Replacement Cost |
The invention of electric trucks came into practice because it’s better for the environment and suitable for everyone involved. The problem is that it’s not easy to find an electric truck that can perform well in various conditions. While there are not numerous options available, the final choice is up to the buyer. We need to consider this carefully before taking this next step, so we don’t end up with unreliable modern-day cars.
But is it that simple? Will all of these benefits come at no cost? When we’re talking about something as big as transportation, these questions are fundamental. A few pros and cons come along with this line of thinking that anyone looking forward to owning an electric truck in the near future should consider.
The Pros and Cons of Electric Trucks
Pros Of Electric Trucks
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of electric trucks, things we can celebrate now and enjoy for many years in the future.
Reduced Emissions
The most significant benefit of electric trucks is the reduction of emissions. At least, this is how it stands now, and that is among the things that need to be considered. The more we can reduce our carbon footprint, the better for everyone on this planet.
The electric truck industry has a great deal of potential to return to cleaner energy sources rather than fossil fuels. Electric trucks are one way this will happen, and they’re in direct contrast to traditional diesel and gasoline-powered trucks.
High Performance / Energy Efficiency
Another benefit of electric trucks is the ability to achieve high performance and operating efficiency. Compared with vehicles that rely on internal combustion engines, electric trucks have a higher productivity rate with better acceleration, which means they are more productive and more efficient on fuel.
This is because their batteries don’t require as much energy as their counterparts. And, since batteries power them, there is no need to spend money on fossil fuels. The less money spent on gas, the more profits owners can enjoy.
Reduced maintenance
Electric trucks don’t require the same maintenance as their gas-guzzling counterparts. Their motors don’t require any oil changes, and they don’t have any associated parts that may break down over time. Exhaust systems and air filters are also unnecessary because these vehicles are entirely electric. This means that the upkeep on these trucks is significantly reduced, and they’re much easier to service.
No Noise Pollution
Electric trucks also have a significant advantage over traditional vehicles. They produce no noise pollution because of the lack of combustion engines, which reduces noise at construction sites, in factories, and of course, on the roads.
The convenience of charging at home
Another plus for electric trucks is the ability to charge at home. As long as you have your own space, you can charge the truck overnight and go about your daily work routine without any problems. This particular benefit saves you time since electric trucks tend to take longer to charge than those powered by gas.
Cons Of Electric Trucks
Just like with many things in life, electric trucks come with some negatives that have to be discussed if you are planning to acquire an electric truck at some point. These are not deal breakers but are things you should keep in mind, which may affect your routine, lifestyle and etc.
Limited range
The biggest downside of electric trucks is their limited range. Their batteries are designed to be quick chargers, so the range can only go up to about 194 miles for many of them, but can go up to 300 miles on extended range battery option.
This means you may have to recharge your truck more often than you would like when traveling long distances and going from one place to another.
If your route requires a longer distance and there are no charging stations for you to use, then you’ll have a problem.
Availability of charging stations
Another problem is the availability of charging stations. While they’re increasing and more are being installed, finding a place to recharge is still challenging.
Traveling long distances is difficult because there aren’t many places where you’ll be able to charge up your vehicle.
High cost of ownership
The most crucial factor against electric trucks is their high cost of ownership. They’re still new, and as a result, they’re more expensive than traditional vehicles. If they only had this one disadvantage, it would be fantastic if you could afford them.
As long as you can afford a vehicle that has the same performance and costs less on monthly payments, then it’s fine to consider these trucks.
The only thing keeping these vehicles out of the market is their price tag.
Charging takes longer
It’s also a concern about how long it takes for the truck to charge. Depending on the size and specification of the battery, it can typically take about 30 minutes to accomplish an 80% charge to your battery, and there aren’t that many outlets around you’ll be able to use. But if there are places where you can recharge, then you’re all set, but you will have to be patient with the charging process.
It’s an annoyance, but overall it’s not that big of a problem because the range is still more than enough for the average person.
Replacing the Batteries is Expensive
The final drawback to electric trucks is that replacing their batteries can be expensive. This, of course, depends on how old your truck is, but it will still cost a lot.
If you’re planning on keeping this vehicle for more than ten years, this would be essential to keep in mind.
This isn’t a massive problem because newer versions are expected to have improved batteries that last longer and hold more energy. However, this upfront cost can still make your decision challenging if you don’t have the funds to work with it.
In essence, electric trucks have a great deal of potential. They’re much more environmentally friendly and are a great alternative to those who want to do something good for the environment. You’ll feel good about yourself once you start using one of these vehicles because they’re much more efficient and don’t pollute the air like gas-powered trucks, despite the cons that come with electric trucks.

Valik loves tinkering in the garage and is currently restoring a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 truck. He also writes about the progress on this blog. When not in the garage, Valik is also a web developer and a blogger. I know, strange, a hand in two completely different worlds. And that is the way he likes to keep it.