Toll of Commuting: Are electric semi-trucks viable in New Jersey?
The electric trucks are significantly quieter and use regenerative braking to recharge the battery.
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One New Jersey-based trucking company is aiming to reduce the environmental "Toll of Commuting."
Hermann Services in South Brunswick has the largest fleet of electric trucks in the state.
“This is like the Cadillac of trucks," said driver Clint Randall.
Hermann has 16 all-electric, zero-emission Peterbilts. They have about a 200-mile range, so they are mainly used for local deliveries.
The trucks are significantly quieter and use regenerative braking to recharge the battery. That means no "Jake Brakes" and the loud, choppy sound that comes with them on a diesel truck.
The electric trucks weigh and cost more than diesel, but they do save substantially on fuel. Drivers say the balanced weight distribution also makes for a tighter turn radius.
“The next couple years, the companies, including Peterbilt, will be building the batteries here in the United States," said Adrian Hurgoi, Hermann's vice president of Finance Operations. "That just tells us the industry will advance more in having electric trucks.”
There will soon be more competition in the space. Tesla is also producing an electric semi-truck - they say with twice the range - for delivery this year.
