In the US a decade or two ago, we enacted regulations to increase the efficiency of passenger vehicles. However larger vehicles typically needed for commercial and farming uses were exempt. Now we see the results of that as reverse incentive, where trucks became more common, even for simple commuting
Will the same happen with BEVs, a reverse incentive that increases the use of trucks?
I just read an opinion piece (lost just as quickly, sorry) that discussed issues with sales of EV pickups at GM and Ford. They made a compelling argument that EVs still have weaknesses as work trucks and point to the success of Rivian as a recreational truck. Certainly arguments against EV pickups do center on those weaknesses, even for scenarios where it wouldn’t apply (how many truck owners actually tow regularly?). So, as BEVs rapidly take over the car and crossover markets, and the holdouts have fewer choices of ICE cars, will they increasingly turn to trucks?
Really, it seems like fleet work trucks will go battery electric sooner than the luxury/vanity and redneck or towing crowd.
The cost savings for a work pickup for a fleet are considerable, as are the maintenance costs. Fleet buyers can immortize the cost of the investment in a more rational accounting manner, unlike your typical consumer. Fleet buyers also have capital that they can invest up front.
Long distance towing is a tough nut to crack, but I don’t think that many people actually too that long of a distance with pickup trucks. They exist, but are much smaller section of the overall truck market.
I’m just hoping that electric drivetrains will one day enable smaller pickup trucks again as they won’t have to deal with the insane CAFE mpg requirements.