Heavy-duty trucks make up only 5% of all vehicles on US roads but contribute to 25% of vehicle emissions. As vehicles are a significant source of emissions, increasing the electric truck fleet is crucial to reduce carbon emissions significantly. This is a cost-effective way for the US to lead in aligning with the commitment made in the Paris Agreement in 2015.
Electric Truck Charging Hubs
Electric trucks have a shorter range compared to diesel trucks, making them suitable for short to medium-range operations. The Biden administration is expected to announce a plan to decarbonize the nation’s trucking fleet soon, with a focus on high-power charging hubs to keep the trucks charged up.
The administration has initiated a national strategy to identify priority freight hubs and corridors, involving states, utilities, truck manufacturers, and freight operators. The aim is to ensure compliance with upcoming emission rules and make electric trucks competitive with diesel trucks.
Last week, the administration released the National Zero Emission Freight Corridor Strategy, detailing a roadmap for developing charging stations needed to electrify commercial trucks. The strategy begins with freight hubs near high-traffic areas and ports within a 100-mile radius, supporting daily routes for electric trucks.
The plan aims to connect these hubs through designated roadways as National EV Freight Corridors, enhancing charging infrastructure for longer routes and eventual cross-country journeys.
“All Of Government” Electric Truck Strategy
The federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, in partnership with the EPA, DOE, and DOT, has introduced a comprehensive strategy for deploying zero emissions infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty electric truck routes, aligning with industry demands. The plan focuses on early EV truck-charging investments in key states to meet emission targets.
The EPA’s proposed rule aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, similar to the standards for cars and light trucks, by 29% below 2021 levels by 2032. There is pushback from trucking industries over charging infrastructure concerns, prompting calls for deadline extensions and an infrastructure off-ramp.
The strategy also addresses funding allocation through grants and emphasizes the importance of partnerships between government and private industry to meet standards effectively, particularly focusing on electrification infrastructure.