Achievable GHG reduction through Battery Electric Vehicles
This article focuses on the magnitude of energy use and GHG emission reductions achievable with battery powered vehicles. The Volvo VNR Electric and Freightliner eCascadia typically operated 150–200 km per day, compared with 300–350 km for their diesel counterparts. Both fleets performed LTL deliveries between warehouses and distribution centres in the Montreal region.
Across the study period, diesel trucks averaged 1 930 km per week, while the electric trucks averaged 840 km per week. During summer, the electric trucks more consistently achieved their advertised range and completed longer daily trips, yet they generally remained within 50 km of their home terminals. Overall, the electric trucks operated within this radius 95% of the time, with only limited exceptions in surrounding urban areas.
Fuel and energy consumption were continuously monitored throughout the long-term test. Diesel trucks consumed an average of 33 L/100 km in summer and 38 L/100 km in winter, with minor variation between units. Electric truck energy consumption ranged from 130 kWh/100 km in summer to 241 kWh/100 km in winter. Consumption varied with driver behaviour, route characteristics, load profiles, and weather conditions. Cold weather idling for the eCascadia reached up to 20 kWh per hour, although comparable idling data for the Volvo VNR Electric were unavailable.
The deployment of electric trucks reduced GHG emissions by lowering diesel vehicle kilometres travelled. Across five electric trucks, 201 tonnes of CO₂e were avoided, averaging 95 kg of CO₂e saved per 100 kilometres displaced, with operational emissions near zero due to Quebec’s hydroelectric grid.
Seasonal variation in electric truck energy use was driven by more stable summer conditions and more variable winter operating environments. A total cost of ownership analysis indicated that, at an electricity rate of $0.10/kWh and diesel at $1.24/L, each $0.05/L increase in diesel price generated approximately $39 000 in additional savings over six years for a four-truck electric fleet.
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