As contractors consider integrating electric equipment into their fleets, the most common questions that come up are how long a battery-powered machine can run compared with a diesel model and whether it can work a full shift.

These are valid concerns because they heavily impact the viability of electric machines for your operation, so it's important to understand the difference between a full fuel tank and a fully charged battery.

Using the hours typically logged on a diesel machine to estimate what you need from an electric equivalent is not an "apples to apples" comparison. It will lead to a significant overestimation because every hour recorded on an electric machine is a productive one, whereas diesel machine hours are a mix of working and idling.

Here are four key factors to keep in mind when comparing hours needed from a machine.

1. Electric motors eliminate traditional idle time.

Internal combustion engines (ICE) require idle periods by nature. Whether it's to warm up, cool down or stay ready while another machine finishes a task, diesel-powered machines spend a lot of time running without actually doing work. In fact, it's not unusual for them to idle between 25 percent and 50 percent of the time.

Electric equipment does not idle, so a shorter runtime is not as much of a concern as it may sound like. This difference offers several immediate advantages:

● Instant power without the wait: Electric motors provide power the moment the controls are moved. There's no need for a warm-up period to get the hydraulics up to speed. Basically, the machine waits for the operator rather than the operator waiting for the machine. When the operator lets go, the motor shuts off instantly instead of dropping into an idle state.

● Automatic shutdown: Many electric models include an auto shutdown feature. This allows the operator to choose a window between three and 20 seconds for the motor to turn off if the machine isn't being used. This ensures that even a momentary pause doesn't result in wasted power or unproductive hours being added to the machine's lifetime total.

● True work hours: Because the motor stops when the work stops, the hours accrued reflect active production. To put this into perspective, if a diesel machine logs eight hours but idled for three, an electric machine only needs to provide five hours of power to do the same job. This means a battery rated for five or six hours of active work is often the equivalent of a full day of diesel operation.

2. Lower meter hours increase machine value.

Because these machines don't idle, the hours recorded carry more value over the life of the asset. This can have a direct impact on your bottom line:

● Less wear and simplified maintenance: On a diesel machine, vibration and heat generated while idling affect components. On an electric model, the motor doesn't run during downtime, so there's less overall wear and tear. Electric models also eliminate the need for engine-related maintenance like oil changes, DEF or fuel filters.

● Higher residual value: The hour meter is one of the first things a buyer looks at on the used market. Because an electric machine doesn't rack up hours while sitting still, it will show fewer hours on the meter than a diesel model would show over the same period of time. This lower accrual combined with a more transparent history of actual work can help preserve your resale price when it's time to trade or sell.

● Reduced energy costs: You aren't burning energy when the machine is at a standstill. While a diesel engine consumes fuel regardless of whether it's working or waiting, an electric motor only draws power when it's under load. When you calculate your energy costs at the end of the month, you'll see that you are only paying for hours that generate revenue.

3. Lower noise levels allow for more flexibility.

The value of an electric hour also comes from the flexibility it provides. Because these machines operate at much lower noise levels and don't produce exhaust fumes, they can work in places where traditional equipment might face restrictions. This is where the benefit moves beyond the hour meter and starts helping you manage your schedule.

Contractors can often start earlier in the morning or work later into the evening in residential areas without disturbing the neighbors. On urban projects, work is sometimes restricted to a tight timeline to comply with local ordinances. An electric machine might allow you to extend a shift by two or three hours, which can go a long way in keeping a project on track.

4. Real-world factors still matter.

It's important to remember that there isn't a single answer for how long a charge will last. Just like fuel consumption with a diesel machine, electric equipment performance depends on the application. Factors like extreme cold, the type of work being done and the use of heaters or lights will impact battery life.

Your local dealer or OEM can be a great resource to help you estimate these hours. They can help you look at the typical work-to-idle ratio of your current fleet to give you a clear picture of how an electric machine would perform on your specific jobsite.

Rethinking how you view work hours is the key to understanding the value that electric equipment brings to the table. When every minute on the meter is dedicated to production, the machine becomes a much more efficient part of your fleet. While diesel remains the powerhouse for heavy, high-production applications, the unique efficiency of electric equipment offers a new way to look at fleet management.