We are starting to see an uptick in both the production and purchase of battery-electric vehicles as well as interest in other alternative fuels. While diesel vehicles will be with us for at least several more decades, we will also likely continue to see an acceleration of the deployment of battery-electric vehicles and other alternative-fuel trucks.
One of the benefits of battery-electric vehicles is that they will require less maintenance than their diesel counterparts—but that does not mean they will be maintenance-free. We need to start preparing technicians so that they can properly maintain and repair these trucks.
Speaking at a recent NationaLease meeting, Ken Davis, founder of Greentree Advisors, offered some thoughts on electric vehicle maintenance.
Perhaps most important is that electric vehicles will be high voltage—100 to 600 volts—and technicians must strictly follow electrical disconnect procedures, including isolating the battery, disabling the system, and following all OEM instructions. This is no time to take shortcuts.
See also: Preparing trucking to safely service electric vehicles
Service providers need to consider the infrastructure requirements on-site to charge batteries after the vehicle has been serviced. The needs will differ for each service provider, depending on the number of vehicles they will be servicing and what type of charging they will use. AC charging can take six to eight hours, while DC charging takes one to three hours. Charging stations will also need their own maintenance and repair, so make sure to factor that into your planning. Also, you'll want to decide whether you'll offer roadside charging as part of your mobile service.
Davis reminded us that battery-electric vehicles are not the only vehicles that will need to be maintained and repaired. Some fleets are turning to natural gas vehicles as they try to move freight in a cleaner manner. If you want to service these vehicles, you need to make sure your facility is certified by your local fire marshal and that you have a system to detect and alert you to the presence of methane. You will also need to decide if you will have fueling and de-fueling capabilities on-site. For major repairs, fuel tanks will need to be emptied. With minor repairs, you can use fuel shut-off valves and release system pressure.
See also: Answering common questions about electric trucks
For the time being, you will need to ensure your technicians have the skills to work on the many types of powertrains available. The skills needed and the equipment to properly diagnose and repair battery-electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles will be different than those needed to maintain and repair today's internal combustion engines. So make sure you start taking steps in your shops to be ready when the battery-electric vehicles in your area need service.
Jane Clark is vice president of member services for NationaLease. In this position, she is focused on managing the member services operation as well as working to strengthen member relationships, reduce member costs, and improve collaboration within the NationaLease supporting groups. Prior to joining NationaLease, Clark served as area vice president for Randstad, one of the nation's largest recruitment agencies, and before that, she served in management posts with QPS Cos., Pro Staff, and Manpower Inc.
