The Electric Truck Revolution:

General
#1

Title: The Electric Truck Revolution: Balancing Sustainability, Supply Chains, and People’s Livelihoods

In our quest for a cleaner, greener future, we’re on the brink of a profound transition – the shift to electric trucks. It’s a promising journey but one fraught with challenges, particularly concerning its impact on people and supply chains.

Remember the disruptions caused by the pandemic? Empty shelves, soaring prices, and scarcity of goods. It showed us how interconnected supply chains are with our daily lives. As we embrace electric trucks, we need to consider: Can we afford another supply chain interruption?

Much like the pandemic, the electric truck revolution has the potential to upend our supply chains, with profound consequences. It could affect jobs, businesses, and the affordability of our daily essentials.

Furthermore, we can’t ignore the geopolitical complexities. Conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, and rising tensions with China hang over us. These nations are pivotal to our supply chains. In this geopolitical uncertainty, can we risk more disruptions?

As we embark on this path, we should heed the lessons of the past. Rushing headlong into change without assessing the risks could have dire consequences. Our transition to electric trucks should ensure supply chain security, protect livelihoods, and distribute the burdens of change equitably.

So, what do you think? Is it possible to strike a balance between sustainability and safeguarding supply chains and livelihoods? Share your thoughts on this critical issue.

#2

I think it is possible but it should be market-driven. If electric trucks are better, then trucking companies will use them. If the government wants to help then it should incentivize businesses, not mandate.

The government should be the referee, not the coach.

“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” - Ronald Reagan

#3

The article below lays out an in-depth cost analysis of operating a Tesla semi vs. Diesel semi. The biggest takeaway is that electricity is about $17k per 100,000 miles and diesel costs $80k. The electric vehicle is significantly more expensive to buy, but is still a better deal over its lifetime.

The barrier to entry is the high cost of the electric vehicle up front. This is where governments need to step in. I’m also a big believer in market forces, but the market can’t decide everything. Companies will generally do what is profitable, not what is right… unless what is right also happens to be profitable.

#4

Regarding government intervention in the switch to EVs in general:

The one place governments can be most useful is the establishment of charging infrastructure. It is true that the market can decide which EVs consumers will buy, pricing, and speed of adoption.

Charging infrastructure is like the road network. Car companies do not build freeways. Similarly, car companies should not have to build charging infrastructure.

The economics are simple. Electricity is cheaper per kilometer than petrol. People just need to be able to access it reliable and not fear getting stranded by the side of the road holding a power cord.