Many professional landscapers and lawn care operators are weighing the transition to an electric vehicle (EV) fleet. However, this is more than just about going green. Rather, it’s a strategic business decision that affects everything from daily operations to customer satisfaction.
The thought of making the change can seem daunting, especially given the landscape industry’s unique demands, such as towing heavy equipment, long travel times and the need for reliable power. Yet, a successful transition is possible and offers significant benefits.
Going EV
While the idea of an all-electric fleet is compelling, Greyson Walldorff emphasizes that a diverse mix of vehicles is often the most practical solution for operations making the conversion to EVs.
Walldorff is the founder and CEO (chief electrification officer) of Atlanta-based Lawn Capital, a lawn care and landscape maintenance operation committed to 100-percent electric landscaping. Lawn Capital’s fleet includes electric pickups for large commercial jobs and electric vans for single-family residential clients, as well as hybrid and electric sedans for the company’s operations and account managers.
Although Walldorff is all in on electric, he acknowledges that every vehicle — whether gas, diesel or electric — has its place. The key, he says, is to match EVs to their job demands, considering factors like range, payload and charging needs. For example, Lawn Capital still utilizes a gas-powered dump truck for its heavy-duty construction crews.
For Livingstone Landscaping in Brandon, Manitoba, investing in EVs came down to the bottom line. Owner/president Matt Berg notes that while Canada’s rising carbon tax was a major factor, the long-term savings go beyond just fuel costs.
“We were projected to save approximately $800 to $1,000 a month per vehicle,” Berg says. “When you consider the monthly payment on the vehicle, that’s the majority of the payment. So, you’re almost getting a new truck for 30 percent of the financial outlay.”
Beyond the savings at the pump, Berg notes a significant reduction in maintenance costs. Since EVs don’t require oil changes or many of the other routine maintenance tasks associated with internal combustion engines, a major cost and logistical headache for fleet managers is eliminated.
Although a silent, all-electric crew is an immediate attention-getter, Walldorff cautions against relying on it as a primary selling point. While customers appreciate the reduced noise and eco-friendly approach, it doesn’t replace the core values of quality, relationships and service.
“If we’re not hitting those three marks, electric or not, it doesn’t matter,” he says.
Walldorff finds that the unique look and quiet operation of his electric fleet set Lawn Capital apart from competitors. This can be a valuable differentiator, helping the company stand out in a crowded market and attracting clients who value sustainability.
Charging infrastructure
A critical factor to address before building an EV fleet is charging infrastructure.
“You can’t just go out and buy (an electric) pickup truck and go, ‘OK, I’m ready to go!’” warns Sheldon Ridout, owner of The Silent Gardener in New Westminster, British Columbia. Ridout runs an entire electric operation, from his battery-powered mowers and equipment to his fleet of trucks and vans. “The very first thing you have to address before you do anything is, where are you going to charge?”
Ridout uses both a 42-amp and a 30-amp charger with a splitter that allows him to charge two vehicles at a reduced amperage. While he and others find this practical, he strongly suggests landscape and lawn care pros consult with a qualified electrician to assess their power needs. Vehicle charging requires a large electrical panel. The good news is that for most work vehicles, Ridout says an overnight charge on a standard Level 2 plug, which uses a 220-240 volt circuit, is sufficient to have the vehicle ready for the next day’s work.
Lawn Capital also uses Level 2 chargers instead of more powerful, but more expensive, fast chargers. Walldorff says this approach works because the company has a long overnight charging window from 6 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
“I realized I don’t need fast charging,” he says. “I just need the typical Level 2 charger, and I needed to charge overnight. That’s been our main strategy.”
According to Walldorff, efficiency doesn’t require a high-powered setup. By using lower-amperage chargers, he can charge nine vehicles and all his equipment on a single three-phase, 90-amp panel. This allows him to utilize his existing electrical capacity to accommodate the new dedicated circuits for the chargers. Walldorff advises landscape pros to start by assessing their current electrical setup and work backward to map out their specific power needs.
Addressing range
Just like a gas or diesel truck, the range of an EV is reduced when hauling a heavy load, and Berg estimates that an EV’s range can be cut in half when towing a trailer.
“You gotta keep in mind, ‘Let’s plug in way more frequently than you probably need to, because an unexpected situation can happen,’” he says.
For Livingstone Landscaping, a combination of on-site and at-home charging stations has been the solution. The company installed a mix of 48- and 80-amp chargers at their facility and even paid to have chargers installed at the homes of crew members who take their trucks home at night.
When selecting an electric work vehicle, contractors shouldn’t get caught up in the “need for speed” or maximum range hype, Ridout says. For a typical workday, a standard range battery is more than enough.
Employee impact
According to Walldorff, a significant lesson was the importance of getting his management team on board from the beginning. He initially rolled out the new fleet to his crews first, assuming his managers would share his passion. He now believes he should have done the opposite.
Getting managers excited first by letting them drive the EVs creates a sense of buy-in and makes them advocates for the new technology, which then trickles down to frontline crews. This top-down approach ensures a smoother and more successful transition for the entire company.
Additionally, an unexpected benefit of using an EV fleet is improved safety. Walldorff has witnessed a significant decrease in his company’s accident rate since switching to EVs. He credits this to the advanced safety features that come standard on many EVs, such as backup cameras and 360-degree views, which are often absent in traditional work trucks.
Lastly, Berg advises crew training on EVs is crucial, particularly when it comes to “one-pedal driving.”
This technology utilizes regenerative braking to slow down the vehicle when the driver lifts off the accelerator, allowing the driver to control both acceleration and deceleration with just one pedal. This feature is becoming increasingly common in electric vehicles, including trucks and vans, because it enhances efficiency and can simplify the driving experience.
“The second you take your foot off the gas pedal, it starts to slow down,” Berg says. “It took them about a day to get fully used to it. Now it’s awkward to get into a normal vehicle.”
