Electric vehicle sales are increasing yearly with more than 2.9 million battery and plug-in hybrid units sold in the USA since 2010. There is also no indication that the popularity of the $287.36 billion industry currently enjoys will decrease in the near future. In addition to passenger cars, utility vehicles, trucks, and buses, EVs have also made their way onto construction sites across the country. Considering that the construction sector is responsible for nearly 38% of global carbon emissions, the large-scale adoption of electric-powered construction vehicles could be a step in a cleaner, greener direction. Here’s a summary of just three of the many benefits of the industry’s move toward electric vehicles.

Although electric construction vehicles carry a hefty price tag, they can save owners a considerable amount of money in the long run. One of the biggest savings comes as a direct result of the switch from gas to electric. Recharging an EV costs substantially less than filling it up with gas. It is, however, important to remember that, to operate optimally and to save money, adequate charging facilities must be made available to ensure vehicles are always charged. Conducting regular maintenance on a construction vehicle can cost thousands of dollars a year. As electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than those with combustion engines, they typically require less upkeep which, in turn, ends up saving the owner a big chunk of money every year.

As already noted, the construction and building sector is responsible for more than a third of the carbon emissions in the world. In addition to being a money-saver, electric construction vehicles are also kinder to the environment than their gas and diesel counterparts. As electric vehicles produce no exhaust fumes, their carbon footprint is much smaller. Even when you take the initial manufacturing of the vehicle into consideration, EVs are still greener than internal combustion engines. Furthermore, EVs also do not require the use of fossil fuel-based lubricants such as motor oil which needs to be disposed of at some stage, making them even more eco-friendly.

One of the biggest concerns in the construction industry, apart from greenhouse gas emissions, is noise pollution. The noise generated by a typical construction site can cause significant disruption and discomfort to nearby businesses and private residences. Prolonged exposure to noise can also have a negative impact on the well-being of construction workers. In comparison to diesel and petrol-fuelled vehicles, electric construction vehicles produce very little noise. Apart from decreasing noise pollution, EVs can also make it possible for a construction site to increase its operating hours. This is particularly true for sites within metropolitan areas where ordinances are set for permitted noise levels.

We have already seen the impact of electric vehicles in areas such as courier deliveries. Now, electric construction vehicles have the potential to revolutionize the industry. Not only do EVs reduce the environmental impact of a construction site but they can also save the owner a considerable amount of money and reduce the noise pollution generated on the construction site.