In 2022, electric vehicle sales reached their highest level, and there’s a clear reason: EVs are increasingly practical due to broader availability, extended driving distances, and enhanced technology, making them superior vehicles than ever. That being noted, there are definitely numerous advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles – for both vehicle owners and transporters.
It can be considered more challenging to transport all-electric vehicles for several reasons, yet it may also prove to be more profitable. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicle transportation.
Con: Significantly Heavier than Gasoline-Powered Vehicles
The main disadvantage of electric car hauling is the significant weight disparity compared to gas-powered vehicles. Due to the large lithium-ion batteries used in them, EVs are heavier—significantly heavier—than conventional cars. This indicates that your truck will be transporting heavier loads than usual, which will also impact your truck’s fuel efficiency compared to hauling the same number of gas-powered vehicles.
Gas-powered cars generally weigh about 3,000 pounds, while an average Tesla vehicle weighs 4,600 pounds – a substantial 53% increase in weight. Similarly, the Ford F-150 Lightning will be approximately 1,600 pounds heavier than the gasoline-powered F-150 truck.
Pro: Targeting a Specialized Market
Certainly, there are several advantages to electric vehicles. Electric cars are not shipped as frequently as gas vehicles, which means that car haulers who focus on EVs might distinguish themselves from others. Focusing on a niche market is always a smart strategy, as it helps your business stand out from other Carriers. Electric vehicles are generally pricier and more fragile than their gasoline-powered equivalents, leading many buyers to prefer car haulers skilled in transporting EVs specifically.
Con: Transport Fewer Vehicles Simultaneously
A further drawback of electric vehicles is the problem of weight capacity. Due to the significant weight gain, transporting electric vehicles makes trailers hit their maximum weight limit much sooner. Consequently, Carriers moving EVs will be limited to transporting fewer vehicles simultaneously. This could significantly impact car haulers intending to transport numerous vehicles on one trip, as the smaller amount may result in reduced income.
Although various types of trailers possess distinct weight capacities, car haulers will still hit their load limit earlier, no matter which size of trailer they opt for. For instance, a double goose-neck trailer reaches its limit at 15,000 pounds. When transporting gas-powered vehicles, this trailer accommodates five cars; transporting all-electric vehicles would limit the maximum capacity to only three.
Pro: Generate Higher Revenue Per Vehicle
Conversely, car haulers may increase fees for transporting all-electric vehicles due to their greater weight. As a result, there is a strong possibility of earning additional income from transporting electric cars, particularly if you typically transport fewer vehicles at a time. Although the increased weight of electric vehicles does limit the maximum number of cars a Carrier can load in their trailer, this is not a concern for all haulers. If you typically transport just 3-4 cars simultaneously, then electric vehicles might indeed be the better option compared to gas-powered vehicles.
Carriers might be able to transport the same number of vehicles weekly, while increasing their charges for each car. The boosted revenue generated from electric cars can readily offset the elevated fuel expenses, enabling your business to profit more while doing the same amount of work.
So, are electric vehicles worthwhile? It varies. Although electric vehicles can occasionally be more challenging and costly to transport, their greater value can enable numerous car haulers to make more money in total – though it may vary based on your individual situation as a car hauler.