November 12, 2020
Media Contact: Adam Snider, Electrification Coalition | 202-365-8971
New Report Outlines Barriers, Identifies Solutions to Accelerating Electric Trucks
Electrification Coalition provides tools to bring the trucking industry, policymakers, and utilities together to shift electric trucks into high gear
Washington, D.C.—The Electrification Coalition today released a new report that identifies solutions and actions that industry stakeholders should take to help the United States accelerate the electric future of our freight transportation system, reaping a host of national security, economic, emissions reduction, and public health benefits.
The report, Electrifying Freight: Pathways to Accelerating the Transition, outlines the benefits electric trucks have over their diesel counterparts; explains the major barriers impeding their production, sales, and deployment; and establishes the next steps that manufacturers, policymakers, fleet operators, the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, and other stakeholders should take to facilitate and accelerate freight electrification.
“Electrification of transportation is ready to move into the freight sector and drive a future that is cleaner, cheaper, and reduces the economic and national security risks from our oil dependency,” said Ben Prochazka, National Director of the Electrification Coalition.
The freight sector presents a unique opportunity to realize the widespread benefits of transportation electrification. Three out of four commercial trucks on the road today—and 98% of Class 8 trucks—are powered by diesel. While medium- and heavy-duty vehicles represented only 6% of vehicles registered in 2018, they were responsible for 26% of our petroleum consumption and 23% of U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Electric trucks help reduce the impacts on low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by transportation emissions near freight depots, ports, and highway corridors.
In addition to the outsized emissions impact of on-road freight vehicles, the number of freight trucks and total annual freight mileage are projected to increase dramatically over the next thirty years as e-commerce booms and the U.S. population continues to grow rapidly. Electric trucks and other vehicles provide a cost-competitive, domestically powered, and increasingly clean alternative.
By identifying major barriers that are impeding the growth of manufacturing and sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks, the report gives freight, EV industry, utility, and other stakeholders the tools to develop and execute solutions and best practices that can be shared broadly to accelerate the wave of freight and goods delivery electrification.
Positive Reaction from Manufacturers and Trucking Stakeholders
Dawn Fenton, Vice President, Government Relations & Public Affairs, Volvo: “This issue brief on Electrifying Freight is an accurate reflection of the many challenges that come with electrifying the freight sector. It highlights the importance of sufficient infrastructure and purchase incentives for transforming the truck fleet and the imperative for cooperation among diverse industry and government stakeholders to make these new vehicles commercially competitive for fleet owners.”
Mike Roeth, Executive Director, North American Council for Freight Efficiency: “The EC’s newly released issue brief provides stakeholders across the spectrum with excellent guidance on how to overcome some of the most pressing challenges to freight vehicle electrification. Whether you’re a policymaker, fleet, utility, shipper, or EVSE supplier, this brief includes actionable steps for accelerating the production, sale, and utilization of electric trucks. This should be required reading for signatories to the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle MOU as they develop their action plans in partnership with industry and community stakeholders.”
Richard Colley, Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Arrival: “The Electrification Coalition are a key stakeholder in accelerating transportation electrification in the United States. Their experienced and committed staff are leading critical policy discussions about freight electrification and infrastructure at the federal state and local levels. The opportunity and ability for Arrival to contribute to these efforts is essential for rolling out our Integrated Transportation Ecosystem.”
Chelsea Jenkins, Vice President, Government & Industry Relations, ROUSH CleanTech: “The EC’s newly released report, Electrifying Freight: Pathways to Accelerating the Transition, shines a spotlight on innovative actions that freight electrification stakeholders can take to support the deployment of electrified freight vehicles. ROUSH CleanTech values efforts by the EC to better articulate and summarize the barriers to freight electrification and the breadth of stakeholders that will be required to overcome them. As we continue to develop and expand our electric truck offerings, we are looking forward to working in a more interdisciplinary fashion in this booming industry to solve problems and create exciting opportunities for our customers.”
The Lion Electric Co.: “We here at The Lion Electric are dedicated to accelerating medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles in North America, and we are proud to work beside the Electrification Coalition on accelerating the transition of the transportation sector by delivering units today.”
Greenlots: “As electrification becomes an increasingly viable solution for the transportation sector, reports like this one play an integral role in understanding the opportunities and challenges electrification, like any new technology, presents. The Electrification Coalition has a long history supporting this industry, and Greenlots is pleased to see much needed attention on freight and medium- and heavy-duty fleets to advance electrification and EV infrastructure deployment.”
This EC report is the first in a series that will inform stakeholders on strategies for accelerating freight electrification and highlight policy actions that can facilitate the industry’s electrification. Our continued engagement with stakeholders provides us with a robust and comprehensive understanding of what challenges are being faced and what solutions are needed to accelerate freight electrification at scale.
The EC is helping support freight industry stakeholders overcome the barriers identified in this report. Please contact Travis Buholtz, Electric Vehicle Technical Advisor for the EC, to schedule a meeting to discuss your company’s or organization’s freight electrification efforts.
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a non-partisan, not-for-profit group committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale in order to combat the economic, public health, and national security dangers caused by America’s dependence on oil. The EC works with a variety of stakeholders that represent the entire electrified transportation value chain, positioning the organization as a dedicated rallying point for an array of electrification allies. For more information, visit electrificationcoalition.org.