Ev's: Who Can Afford Them?

Staples has 1,770 medium-duty trucks, most of them diesels.
. . . But 53 are Smith Newton battery-power electrics,
. . . which are working so well that he’s adding 5 updated models.
. . . More might be added as leases end on Staples’ conventional trucks.

Federal and State grants offset some of the expense, and
. . . operating and maintenance costs are low enough
. . . to make a good business case.
Fuel for a diesel, might burn 8 gallons of fuel worth
. . . $32 or more compared to
. . . $6.50 to recharge an electric truck’s batteries,
. . . when non-peak electricity rates go into effect,
. . . usually takes about four hours,
. . . but many trucks come in with the batteries only
. . . 20% depleted due to low speeds and proper driving.

2013-10-07 Source:  Staples