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This raises an essential question for logistics leaders: What happens if we swap diesel yard trucks for electric ones? The answer requires looking at environmental, financial, and operational trade-offs, and then deciding what kind of yard you want to run in the years ahead.
The diesel yard truck: familiar and functional
There’ s no denying the diesel yard truck has earned its place in logistics history. It is a reliable, proven machine, capable of running long shifts under tough conditions. Its ubiquity means parts, maintenance expertise, and supply are readily available. However, its costs, both hidden and visible, are harder to ignore today.
■ Fuel consumption. A single diesel yard truck typically burns between 8000 and 12,000 gallons of fuel per year. At today’ s prices, this is one of the largest line items in yard budgets.
■ Carbon emissions. The same truck emits 90-to-120 metric tons of CO 2 annually, not to mention significant nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, both of which degrade air quality.
■ Noise and workplace environment. Diesel engines are loud, vibrating machines, meaning drivers and dock workers are constantly exposed to noise and exhaust.
■ Maintenance. Diesel engines are complex,
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