For many fleets, electrification begins not on the highway, but in the yard. Battery-electric terminal tractors have quietly become one of the most proven, and profitable, applications in commercial transportation. With thousands of units now operating across North America, leading OEMs and fleets say the technology has matured from early trials into mainstream operations.
“Fleets aren’t experimenting anymore—they’re transforming,” said Zack Ruderman, vice president of sales and marketing at Orange EV. “Five years ago, a typical order was one or two trucks to ‘test the waters.’ Today, those same fleets are ordering dozens because the results are undeniable.”
A Decade of Data Drives Confidence
Founded more than a decade ago, Orange EV has seen its early electric yard trucks log more than 30,000 operational hours, all still running on their original battery packs. That durability, Ruderman said, has flipped the narrative about battery longevity and uptime. “Every single Orange EV truck ever built is operating on its original battery pack. That kind of durability is unheard of in heavy-duty EVs, and it’s why our trucks are outlasting diesel.”
Kalmar Ottawa, another long-standing yard tractor manufacturer, is witnessing similar momentum.
Image: Kalmar Ottawa
Kalmar Ottawa is also leveraging its extensive dealer network to accelerate adoption. Dealership technicians undergo specialized factory training to ensure fleets receive strong post-sale support as they transition to battery-electric equipment.
Lazer’s Electrification Lessons from the Yard
Fleet operators like Lazer Logistics have turned these advances into operational reality. “We firmly believe the yard is the single best place to start your heavy-duty truck electrification journey,” said Chris Bennett, vice president of EV, energy, and sustainability for the company. “Start with one truck and begin learning.”
Lazer, one of the largest dedicated yard management providers in North America, operates battery-electric yard tractors across more than 20 states and Canadian provinces. Most of the company’s units run 24/7 using opportunity charging during shift changes and breaks, without downtime.
“We’ve never had a truck run out of battery energy during more than 1 million hours of EV operation,” Bennett said.
According to Bennett, the performance benefits are tangible: higher uptime, lower operating costs, better driver comfort, and improved energy efficiency. Drivers, he added, “love the electric yard tractors as they can better control their cabin environment, experience less fatigue, and avoid the vibration, noise, and fumes of diesel.”
The Gateway to Heavy-Duty Electrification
As on-road Class 8 battery-electric trucks continue to face cost and range hurdles, yard tractors are providing a clear proof of concept. Both OEMs and fleets see them as critical stepping stones toward broader decarbonization.
Image: Orange EV
Even as the industry scales, OEMs like Kalmar Ottawa are ensuring manufacturing flexibility to keep up with demand.
“We’ve developed a process that allows our EVs and diesel units to run down the same line,” said Streich. “This lets us meet customer needs efficiently while maintaining high-quality assembly.”
For Lazer, the data-driven results have already validated the business case.
“Our electric yard tractors outperform diesel in almost every category,” Bennett said. “They’re not just helping us meet our sustainability targets, they’re redefining what’s possible for heavy-duty operations.”
