Low carbon learnings
Genesis Energy fleet engineering and reliability manager Brad Phillips imparted some of the lessons learnt by the company in a year of operating an electric truck (New Zealand Trucking August 2021).
“We have two now, but it’s not been easy,” Phillips said. “For us, it’s about energising New Zealand’s sustainable future. Dangerous goods are really difficult for EVs – if we can do it, anyone can. It’s been a rapid learning journey, providing us with a solid understanding on what is required for a LPG-fleet EV transition.”
“When we put the first one on the road, I listed what I thought would go really well and what I thought would be a challenge… and I was 100% wrong,” Phillips quipped.
Useable range has been one area of learning. “The range as advertised was 150km but the actual range in our operation is 90km. However, we’re operating at max weight.”
The EV also has a tare weight penalty of 500kg over a diesel equivalent. “We’ve had to drop the number of cylinders we can carry on the truck,” said Phillips. Despite the EV’s strong torque, gradeability has proved to be only half that of a diesel equivalent’s 40% to 50%. “That caught us out, and we removed a further 500kg and changed routes to manage this.”
The inability to charge with the LPG onboard is a challenge specific to the Genesis operation. “We’ve had to change depot processes, but the team has been excellent. Moulding the business around it is painful but the right thing to do. We need to consider what our infrastructure looks like going forward.”
Phillips said there had been positives, too. In the year of operation, Genesis saved 25.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions. “It’s not a big number, but we’re on the board,” he said.
“There’s also been huge value for us and information sharing with intercompany engagement. Driver feedback has otherwise been positive, and it’s a conversation starter with our clients.”