Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for several years and are the gateway to lowering pollution around the globe. So far, consumers have been the biggest EV users thanks to electric-focused automakers. Now, EV trucks are flourishing as well.

With the ever-changing automotive industry, this year brings new political dynamics and global focuses. 2021 is going to be big for electric trucks of all kinds, but not due to any one reason in particular. It’s ultimately a collective effort that pushed these vehicles into the limelight.

Needs and Costs

Historically, EV costs made them exclusive and relatively rare. Gas and diesel trucks are still the norm, since they have always been cheap and abundant.

However, the industry is shifting. As electric power becomes more common in the world, it becomes cheaper as well. EV cars are already seeing growth, and 2021 will bring the same for trucks.

As of today, EVs cost an average of $1,255 less for fuel and $330 less for maintenance per year. The initial purchases and monthly payments vary by make and model, but the world cannot ignore these numbers. Electric is generally cheaper than gas.

When it comes to using EV trucks, the costs will vary even more. Agriculture workers need electric trucks to get around and lift heavy items. For fleets, electric semi-trucks or electric delivery vans will prove vital. As these products proliferate and meet new needs, the costs should drop overall and bring on even faster adoption across industries.

Dropping costs are a critical factor for why 2021 is the year of the EV truck. Alone, though, this factor isn’t enough.

New Regulatory Changes

New EV innovations and dropping prices will no doubt influence 2021’s EV growth. However, the new administration in the United States is a powerhouse when it comes to sustainability initiatives. President Joe Biden has already reversed several Trump-era rollbacks. For instance, Biden signed an executive order for the U.S. to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement.

This sharp focus on the environment is already affecting the automotive industry. Biden’s commitment to EV innovations will reshape the automotive industry over time. The president has already pledged to replace federal vehicles with electric models, which will line up with the bigger picture. Consumers will slowly be switching to electric as well.

Various states are already on a deadline. In California, Governor Newsom announced in an executive order that by 2035, all new vehicles in the state must be emission-free. Massachusetts rolled out a similar order. Even if all states create plans like these, Biden is still likely to enact federal guidelines to make electric vehicles the new norm.

With Biden in office, and with states already pushing for EVs, automakers know the industry is changing. They know it’s in their best interest to get into the electric game as soon as possible.

Green Tech Revolution

The government is in good company when it comes to green changes. Individual and organized activism has been around for plenty of years. On top of this pressure, the automotive industry itself wants green action sooner and on a bigger scale. Luckily, the constant evolution of technology is an immediate solution.

Self-driving cars are growing in tandem with EVs. Some of Tesla’s models have an autopilot feature while users drive. However, automakers want to take it further to achieve completely driverless cars. Alongside 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), Wi-Fi capabilities, and entertainment systems, tech is the driving force of innovation in the auto industry.

As these features and capabilities come to more cars, they bring electric power more often than not. All new tech should go together — with new government regulations and public demand for the latest and greatest tech, it only makes sense that auto companies create new trucks that have it all.

Activism, laws, and tech push the industry forward. They ensure all new trucks are innovative and green at the same time.

New EV Innovations

Finally, the last factor aiding EV truck growth in 2021 is the trucks themselves. Whether it’s an electric semi-truck or an electric delivery truck, these EVs are popping up everywhere. Companies like Tesla may have inspired this growth, but it’s now turning into a heated competition. With lower prices, new EV trucks are here to stay.

Trucks have countless uses, so automakers must design electric variants of them all. For instance, Republic Services is working with 2,500 electric garbage trucks and looking to increase that number. A GM startup BrightDrop is making new electric delivery trucks for FedEx and UPS.

New brands are bringing EV trucks of all kinds, too. The Rivian R1T can carry about 11,000 pounds and boasts a 300-mile range, which puts it in direct competition with gas-powered trucks. The Bollinger B2 and the Lordstown Motors Endurance can carry a few tons each and get 200-250 miles of range before needing a charge. The Tesla Cybertruck has made headlines for its unique design as well.

Ultimately, these trucks aid drivers of all kinds and pave the way for electric truck fleets and brands and electric transit, starting this year and continuing onwards.

The COVID-19 Factor

While EV innovations come into the spotlight, the world is facing a bigger shift. The COVID-19 pandemic is still disrupting everything, particularly public health, the economy, and the environment. Since air quality worsens human health, which then worsens COVID-19 risks, it’s more essential than ever to shift to electric vehicles.

Furthermore, as the U.S. slowly comes down from record unemployment levels, EV design and manufacturing provides jobs. COVID-19 exposed issues with public health, the environment, and the economy. Through actions like the widescale implementation of EVs, the world can begin to look toward the future with renewed focus and optimism.