8 Reasons Your Next Equipment Purchase Should Be Electric
What’s new? As fuel prices continue to rise, so do the number of reasons to purchase electric equipment.
Why does it matter? Purchasing electric equipment may be the best option for your company, especially as more equipment brands focus on building electric equipment.
There are challenges to adopting electric equipment, but there are also benefits, such as:
- Cheaper fuel costs (electric does save you money in the long run)
- Cheaper maintenance costs
- Noise reduction
- Limiting harmful emissions for your employees
- Meeting government emissions regulations
- Tax credits (in some states)
- Carbon credits/offset
- Meeting corporate governance goals (if applicable)
We spoke with Jeff Larson (Material Handling Sales) and Christian Pannent (Bobcat Sales Manager) to figure out the best ways for companies to incorporate electric equipment.
These tips can help you decide when it’s worth it to make the switch.
Want to learn more about the benefits of renting electric equipment? Check out our blog post about sustainability in equipment rental.
Initial Cost and Investment
The challenge: electric equipment has higher upfront costs than traditional gas- or diesel-powered machinery.
The solutions:
- Explore financing options, grants, or incentives offered by the government or utility companies. These can help you offset the initial cost.
- Before taking the plunge, you should also calculate the long-term savings from reduced fuel and maintenance expenses. It’ll help the initial cost sting a little less.
Range and Battery Life
The challenge: the limited range and battery life of electric equipment can affect operational efficiency and uptime.
The solutions:
- Research and choose equipment with adequate battery capacity and fast-charging capabilities.
- Implement strategic charging schedules and add charging locations onsite to minimize downtime.
- Charge equipment whenever it’s not in use.
- Still worried about the runtime of your equipment? “Consider purchasing opportunity charge, fast charge or additional batteries,” says Jeff.
Charging Infrastructure
The challenge: you’ll need infrastructure to support electric equipment charging, especially on large construction sites or in large warehouses.
The solutions:
- Plan and install sufficient charging stations strategically, across the jobsite or warehouse.
- Coordinate with electrical contractors to get the proper electrical supply.
- Utilize smart charging solutions to optimize energy use and minimize peak demand changes.
Operator Training and Familiarization
The challenge: operators may require additional training to adapt to electric equipment operation and maintenance.
The solutions:
- Develop comprehensive training programs for battery management, safety protocols, equipment operation, and troubleshooting.
- Provide hands-on practice sessions and certification programs to build operator confidence and proficiency.
- If you don’t have the time or resources to craft these programs, don’t stress. Hugg & Hall’s training team is here to help!
Performance and Efficiency
The challenge: many people have concerns about how well electric equipment performs compared to traditional diesel equipment.
The solutions:
- Consult with your local equipment dealer to understand the technological advancements and improvements in electric equipment performance over the last few years.
- Evaluate the positives and negatives of electric equipment during selection.
- Monitor operational data to optimize usage patterns and maximize efficiency (telematics software will come in handy here).
Regulatory and Compliance Issues
The challenge: meeting compliance with local regulations and emission standards for electric equipment.
The solutions:
- Stay informed about evolving requirements to be sure your equipment meets standards.
- Document your compliance efforts and maintain records for audits and inspections.
Integration with Existing Operations
The challenge: integrating electric equipment into existing workflows and processes.
The solutions:
- Plan for integration early in project planning stages.
- Coordinate with project managers, logistics teams, and subcontractors to adapt schedules and workflows to accommodate electric equipment.
- Communicate the benefits and drawbacks of electric equipment adoption across the organization.
Maintenance and Support Services
The challenge: availability of specialized maintenance and support services for electric equipment.
The solutions:
- Partner with maintenance teams, like Hugg & Hall’s 24/7 product support team, that offer comprehensive service packages and technical support.
- Establish preventative maintenance schedules to prevent downtime.
- Don’t have access to a service team like Hugg & Hall’s? Train in-house maintenance teams to service and troubleshoot electric equipment.
Takeaways
Still stuck on reasons to purchase electric equipment? Consider what Christian has to say on the subject.
“At Hugg and Hall, we have a great relationship with our vendors, all in service of our customers. If you need more info, we can get it to you readily, or even have the manufacturer come out and speak with you about any new equipment.
“Moreover, we are all-in on the relationship with our customers. We take the stress out of purchasing new equipment, and we’ll be with you every step of the way should you decide to buy an electric construction piece or forklift.”
Contact our sales team today to help determine the best course of action for your jobsite or warehouse!
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