The Cost of Running Generators Is Adding Up
In a time where we’re seeing a fuel crisis across the country and the price of diesel soaring, every hour that a diesel generator runs is now costing significantly more.
What used to be seen as a standard part of site operations is quickly becoming one of the biggest ongoing expenses.
And it’s happening everywhere.
The Current Setup And the Cost Behind It
Most site vans still rely on generators running throughout the day to support power needs, It’s how the industry has operated for years.
But with diesel prices where they are, that approach is starting to show its cost.
Generators running constantly means:
Ongoing fuel consumption
Regular refuelling
Increased downtime
Higher operating costs over the life of the van
It’s no longer a background cost - it’s a line item that’s getting harder to ignore.
A Different Approach to Power
Every Hardwear van leaves our workshop with a fully integrated 48V solar package, designed to power the van without relying on a generator running all day.
Instead of being the primary power source, the generator is there purely as backup — not something you need to rely on constantly. That shift changes how the van operates on site.
It reduces fuel use, improves efficiency and removes the need for continuous generator run time.
What That Means in Real Terms
The impact isn’t theoretical, it shows up in real operating costs.
Vans that don’t run on 48V solar have the potential to cost:
Up to $20,000–$30,000 per van, per year in diesel fuel.
Across a single van, that’s significant. Across a fleet, it becomes a major commercial consideration.
Built for What’s Changing
There’s a clear shift happening across the industry.
Projects are under more pressure to:
Reduce fuel consumption
Lower emissions
Improve operational efficiency
The way site vans are powered is part of that conversation. Hardwear vans are already aligned with where things are heading not where they’ve been.
The Hardwear Difference
The difference isn’t just in how the vans are built.
It’s in how they perform day-to-day on site and what they cost to run over time.
By reducing reliance on diesel and rethinking how power is delivered, Hardwear vans offer a smarter, more efficient way to operate.
