Rafael Granato explores the differences between diesel and electric yard trucks  

When conversations about sustainability in supply chains arise, most people think of over-the-road fleets, alternative fuels, or renewable energy at warehouses. Rarely does the discussion land on the trailer yard, the place where trucks, trailers, inventory, docks, and warehouses intersect. 

Yet, yard operations may be one of the most overlooked opportunities for measurable progress. Here, yard trucks, sometimes called spotters or hostlers, move trailers between staging areas and docks, orchestrating the daily rhythm of logistics operations. For decades, these trucks have been diesel-powered, but battery-electric alternatives are now becoming a viable option. 

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 CO2 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, requiring frequent oil changes, filter replacements, and major overhauls as mileage builds. 

The electric yard truck: quiet and clean 

Electric yard trucks are newer on the scene, but they are no longer prototypes. Operators across industries have begun deploying them at scale, and the results are reshaping perceptions of what’s possible in the yard.  

• Zero tailpipe emissions. Replacing one diesel truck with an EV eliminates 87-to-120 tons of CO2 per year. Multiply this by a fleet and the sustainability gains are immediate and measurable.  

• Improved air quality. With no nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions, EVs improve health outcomes for employees and the surrounding communities, especially relevant in dense industrial areas.  

• Lower operating costs. Fuel savings of 40-to-60 percent are common. Electricity prices are more stable than diesel, and the simplified drivetrain reduces maintenance costs.  

• Operational advantages. Instant torque, smooth acceleration, and quiet operation create an improved experience for drivers and allow for more efficient trailer moves.  

• High uptime. Many fleets report uptime of 95-to-99 percent, thanks to fewer moving parts and reduced risk of mechanical failures. 

Comparing the numbers  

Costs and tradeoffs  

The financial debate between diesel and electric often comes down to time horizons. Diesel trucks are cheaper to acquire upfront, which appeals to operators under short-term budget constraints. Electric yard trucks carry higher upfront costs, require charging infrastructure, and need operational adjustments, but as technology improves and incentives expand, the barriers are narrowing.  

When fuel, maintenance, and downtime are factored in, electric trucks tend to win over the long term. This creates a broader question: what is the real cost of continuing with diesel? The answer is not just about dollars per mile, but about compliance risk, reputational impact, and long-term competitiveness.  

Beyond compliance  

Electrifying the yard is not only about meeting sustainability checkboxes. It has wider implications: 

• Customer demands. Enterprise shippers are under pressure to decarbonize their supply chains. Suppliers and partners that align with those expectations gain an advantage. 

• Employee experience. Cleaner, quieter trucks improve the daily lives of drivers and yard staff, which can aid retention in an industry struggling with labor shortages. 

• Future-proofing. As emissions reporting becomes more rigorous, early adopters of EV yard trucks will be better positioned to comply with ESG frameworks and avoid last-minute scrambles. 

• Operational consistency. Electric trucks’ predictable performance reduces variability and helps standardize operations across multiple sites.

Partnered approach  

The promise of electrification is clear, but the path is not always straightforward. Upfront capital costs, infrastructure planning, regulatory navigation, and workforce training can overwhelm even well-resourced operators. For many, the risk lies not in the trucks themselves but in how the transition is managed. 

That’s why a growing number of companies are turning to integrated yard logistics partners rather than trying to implement electrification directly. A partner brings three critical advantages: 

1. Experience across sites. They’ve navigated the technical and operational hurdles at scale, learning lessons that an individual shipper may face for the first time. 

1. Integrated operations. Beyond just trucks, partners can align labor, processes, and technology to ensure the EVs deliver their full potential. 

1. Financial and regulatory guidance. From accessing incentives like state vouchers to modeling total cost of ownership, experienced partners help de-risk the transition. 

For shippers considering electrification, the most effective first step may not be a purchase order for trucks, it may be a conversation with a partner who can guide the process, mitigate pitfalls, and accelerate results.  

A yardstick for sustainability  

Diesel yard trucks built the backbone of modern logistics. But as supply chains enter an era defined by sustainability, electrification offers a chance to align environmental responsibility with operational efficiency. 

The yard may not be glamorous, but it is a critical proving ground for sustainable logistics. By comparing diesel and electric yard trucks side by side, the choice becomes clearer: one is tied to rising costs and emissions, while the other opens the door to cleaner, more resilient operations. 

For many organizations, the best path forward is not to electrify in isolation, but to do so in partnership with those who can integrate people, processes, and technology into a cohesive, future-ready yard strategy. 

The decision is not about technology for technology’s sake. It is about what kind of supply chain you want to build: one rooted in legacy practices or one positioned for a sustainable future. 

Rafael Granato 
www.ymxlogistics.com 

Rafael Granato is the VP of Marketing of YMX Logistics, a leader in integrated yard logistics, including gate management, spotting and shuttling services, trailer rentals, and yard management technology solutions. With deep expertise in supply chain technology and logistics solutions, Rafael drives initiatives that highlight YMX’s innovation, customer value, and industry leadership across yard operations and integrated logistics.