https://nacfe.org/research/collaboration-reports/electric-terminal-tractor-adoption/

Electric Terminal Tractor Adoption,
Four Years Later

In 2022, NACFE published its first report on electric terminal tractors, The Use Case for Terminal Tractors.

This new report, Beyond The Pilot: Electric Terminal Tractor Adoption, Four Year Later, revisits the topic to assess the changes in fleet experience and market development.

One of the clearest findings from the survey responses was that fleets are moving from pilot stage to standardization of terminal tractors in their operations, and that fleets are using terminal tractors as a proving ground for electrification.

The report also features seven case studies that represent a range of outcomes from complete standardization to the decision not to adopt.

Electric Terminal Tractor Adoption Survey

Direct economic benefit is the top-ranked reason fleets give for adopting electric terminal tractors, chosen by 60% of fleet operators surveyed, narrowly ahead of corporate sustainability goals (57%). Fleets surveyed are also in broad alignment that electric terminal tractors offer real operating-cost savings: 76% of fleet operators report at least moderate savings compared to diesel, with fleets like Lazer Logistics and Wegmans crediting reduced maintenance and energy costs as their largest realized gains.

Terminal Tractor Electrification Readiness Tool

To help fleets assess their readiness for adding terminal tractors, NACFE developed a Terminal Tractor Electrification Readiness Tool that scores an organization across seven factors and maps the resulting score to one of four readiness tiers, from “strong candidate” to “not yet a fit.”

How to use this tool:

This scoring tool is designed to give fleets a directional understanding on how ready they are to pilot electric terminal tractors. It is not a financial model or a guarantee of outcomes, but a starting point for an internal conversation.

Answer each of the six questions below based on your organization’s current situation—not where you hope to be in a year, but where you are today.

Electric Terminal Tractor Adoption Webinar

This report was produced in collaboration with Orange EV, which helped fund the research, connect NACFE with some interview and survey participants, and provide a manufacturer’s perspective. Orange EV did not write any part of the report nor provide any of the data within it.