Describe the work precisely
Start with the load, route, schedule and conditions the vehicle must handle. Identify the commitments that matter to the business: delivery windows, required availability, loading equipment, depot access and permitted operating periods.
A useful comparison holds those requirements constant. When one candidate requires a different operating pattern, make the change explicit so its economics are assessed on the same basis.
Hold the operating job constant.
Compare complete packages
The chassis, fitted body, auxiliary equipment, service coverage and capital arrangement form one commercial package. Body weight changes the capacity available for the job. Service exclusions can change who carries downtime risk. Delivery timing can determine whether an operating contract can begin.
Record which specifications are supported by the supplier and which remain assumptions. A written quotation has a date, validity period and conditions. Keep those conditions beside the number used in the comparison.
| Period | Diesel | Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Buy | 40 | 62 |
| Year 1 | 53.2 | 69.2 |
| Year 2 | 66.4 | 76.4 |
| Year 3 | 79.6 | 83.6 |
| Year 4 | 92.8 | 90.8 |
| Year 5 | 106 | 98 |
Examine cash requirements under different conditions
Review operating costs and cash contribution under the intended duty cycle, then change the assumptions that matter: utilisation, energy price, downtime, payment delay and residual value. The question is how far the decision can move before it stops meeting the buyer’s requirements.
A scenario is a way to expose dependence on an assumption. It becomes a forecast only when a stated method and evidence support that interpretation. Where operating history is thin, keep the uncertainty visible.
A scenario exposes an assumption.
Carry the decision into delivery and operation
Before approval, list the outstanding supplier confirmations. At delivery, check the purchased configuration against the accepted documents. During operation, compare the original assumptions with the observations available.
The resulting record helps the buyer understand the decision, negotiate the next renewal and prepare for eventual disposal. The Fleet Investment Desk design partner programme is organised around this complete decision trail.
This field note explains the proposed approach. Scope, evidence requirements and commercial terms are agreed for each engagement.