• Rhaedas
    link
    fedilink
    1216 days ago

    EVs for service vehicles that do a lot of local starts and stops is a no-brainer. Should have been done a long time ago. It’s no wonder that they’re getting good reception, after years of working with worn out equipment. I regularly see tow trucks with a Grumman.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      196 days ago

      There’s a bunch of electric garbage trucks in my city. My kid is obsessed with any heavy machinery these days so we were watching one and I got to talking to the driver. He told me that he absolutely loves them. They are easy to operate, they accelerate fast, they seem to break down less.
      I have seen them accelerate, they go hard. And it’s just so fucking cool to have a big dump truck be silent?! I cannot get over how happy it makes me that they’re just chilling silently when they’re stopped. Makes my mornings more peaceful.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        86 days ago

        I’m surprised (and very happy) that the driver loves it. Getting truckers on board with electric semis is a huge challenge, so if other heavy truck drivers like their electrics that will hopefully help win them over.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          45 days ago

          Most of the drivers of these are also waste collectors. He told me he appreciates that it’s less hassle to operate. No gear shifting, no noise, good acceleration, they feel more nimble.
          I suppose range and accessible of charging ports in particular would be a concern for a long haul drivers but that’s not an issue if you have a relatively (range wise) tour through the city, and get back to and central hub every day.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          36 days ago

          I’m not too surprised. It must be quite unpleasant working around a noisy piece of machinery like that.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          25 days ago

          American truckers especially love their FREEDOM to a stupid degree. I do get the lifestyle of being a road cowboy never knowing where your next haul is going to.

          But they’re also a dying breed, new drivers want to get home now and then and not live in a truck for months without seeing their family.

          There was a good documentary about this a while ago, can’t remember where.

      • @ShareMySims
        link
        English
        35 days ago

        And it’s just so fucking cool to have a big dump truck be silent?! I cannot get over how happy it makes me that they’re just chilling silently when they’re stopped. Makes my mornings more peaceful.

        This in itself is worth the change, reducing noise in residential areas (and others) would be a huge improvement in quality of life for both people and wildlife.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      136 days ago

      The last Grumman LLV rolled off the assembly line 30 years ago, and has been probably been driven six days a week, except federal holidays, ever since. I’m not surprised they’re on their last legs.

      • Rhaedas
        link
        fedilink
        66 days ago

        Yes, credit where it’s due for them lasting. Those are like the COBOL running banks and government stuff, never intended to last forever, yet still being used because it’s easier and cheaper (well, probably not in the long run).

    • BarqsHasBite
      link
      fedilink
      156 days ago

      They and transit buses should have been the driver (heh) for hybrids at least.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      76 days ago

      Honestly anything would have been better than those old iron dukes. They were dated in the 80’s