Electrifying Freight: Pathways to Accelerating the Transition

The United States economy is heavily dependent on the functionality of our freight and goods transportation services. Road freight transportation in the United States is projected to grow steadily in the coming decades, and electrified vehicles are emerging as a cleaner, cost-effective alternative to diesel trucks that can be powered by American electricity.

Now is the time for freight and goods delivery stakeholders to take measured actions and reduce our nation’s dependence on oil by electrifying our freight sector. A new report from the EC, Electrifying Freight: Pathways to Accelerating the Transition, addresses the advantages electric trucks have over their diesel counterparts, the major barriers impeding production and sales, and clearly lays out actions that stakeholders can take to facilitate and accelerate freight electrification. Download the report below, or read more about it in our press release.

Download the report.

Testimonials from Industry Leaders and 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.

Amy Malaki

Amy Malaki is the head of policy and sustainability at SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas, pioneering global leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production and supply. Prior to SkyNRG, Amy was the associate director for the transportation portfolio at the ClimateWorks Foundation where she developed philanthropic investment strategies to advance a sustainable, equitable and low-carbon mobility system. She also pioneered the organization’s international aviation decarbonization strategy. Prior to that she focused on Asia business development at Better Place, a Silicon Valley electric vehicle network startup. She has a B.A. in Chinese and China studies from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international policy studies (energy and environment) from Stanford University.