Electric Vehicles for Delivery: Is It a Smart Move?
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common, but are they ready for the demands of delivery work? One Redditor recently posed this question to the r/electricvehicles community, sparking a discussion on the pros and cons of using EVs for daily delivery routes.
In their post, the Redditor acknowledged that EVs offer several advantages, including lower fuel costs and reduced maintenance. “Do the pros outweigh the cons or would it be better to stick with gas powered?” they asked.
The benefits of switching to an EV are clear: no more fuel expenses and reduced maintenance requirements. Beyond the financial advantages, EVs also contribute to cleaner air by eliminating tailpipe emissions, which benefits both personal health and the environment. However, several factors continue to make people hesitant to switch from petrol, including the scarcity of public charging stations, the higher upfront costs, potentially higher electricity bills (depending on local rates), and, most importantly for the Redditor, the lifespan of the battery.
The Redditor, who drives over 200 miles daily, expressed concerns about battery degradation. They worried about the need for frequent fast charging, which “you should avoid regularly…to keep from degrading the battery.” Living in Florida and lacking a garage added another complication. They were concerned the heat could also shorten battery life.
Adding to their concerns: “120,000-160,000 miles is what I’ve seen noted as the usefulness of the batteries. That mileage is the equivalent of 2-3 years for me,” they wrote. “Would I really be looking at replacing the battery every 3 years?”
Reddit’s Advice for EV Delivery
Reddit users offered several pieces of advice. Many disagreed with the Redditor’s assessment of battery longevity. “We have no idea how much the current crop of EV batteries will last, but it’s likely far longer than 120-160k,” one user stated. “Get something with 250+ range, and you shouldn’t need to DCFC [Direct Current Fast Charging] at all unless you have an unexpected trip off your normal route,” they suggested, adding that cold has a greater impact on battery performance than heat.
Another user pointed out that batteries are being used in commercial applications that require long hours of daily driving: “Batteries are so good, they are now being used in commercial applications like trucks, buses, and delivery vans which drive 10+ hours per day, every day.”
A third user suggested, “Sounds like a Tesla Model 3 SR+ with LFP battery is perfect for you. Range is 250+ miles, and there should be a lot of Tesla supercharger in FL.” They added a crucial caveat: “Downside: high purchase price.”
Government Incentives Could Help
To help offset the purchase price, the U.S. government offers tax credits of up to $7,500 for new EVs and up to $4,000 for used EVs — though these are subject to change.
