Infrastructure for Zero Emission eTruck Fleet Operations

So Far So Good

We know the worst-case pollution sacrifice zones occur at ports and energy hubs.  Diesel trucks fed by fossil or renewable diesel are the only solution for fuel hub distribution in Portland OR, port container delivery to distribution centers in Vancouver WA, or harbor distribution in Los Angeles CA.  There is a chance to relieve those living nearby if truck fleets are electrified.  Although with smaller payload capacity, Amazon already has 15,000 electric delivery vans (Rivian) on the road.  Ports have trialed electric port tugs successfully.

 

An Emerging Business Model

Technology, financing, infrastructure and demand are coming together to deploy Zero-emission Electric Vehicle (ZEV) trucks for profit.

 

Here’s the leading economic concept for clean delivery transport already underway.

 

1. Provide a viable alternative for truck fleet owners/drivers that is optional.

Fleet operators will appreciate a low-risk option that yields savings from avoiding fuel acquisition.  When the cost of aging high-maintenance diesel supply logistics (distant refineries, fragile pipelines, multiple pump stations, seismically vulnerable unanchored fuel tanks, last-mile transport) is gone, what is left is highly-reliable transmission line delivery of energy from multiple sources regulated for stable energy cost.

1. Overbuild the charging station network.

The advantages of just-in-time logistics are an established fact.  This means that drivers needing to recharge their ZEVs must have access on demand 24-7.  Four years ago, Southern California Edison announced plans to invest $350 million in truck charging stations.  The world’s largest warehouse company Prologis as well as the South Coast Air Resources board have each built facilities capable to charging more than 95 trucks at a time.

1.  Forum Mobility  is setting up the charging networks with depot locations in Stockton and Santa Ana, CA.
2. Climate United (non-profit) secures subsidy funding amounting to $ 250M for a fleet of 500 Class 8 trucks put on low-cost lease.  Options are available to remove clean energy finance barriers with program tools.
3. Conventional banks can’t support leasing programs for electric drayage trucks because they don’t know what the residual value of the truck will be.  For that reason, Climate United serves as a specialized Green Bank to purchase 500 electric drayage trucks and offer them for 4-year leases.  Ultimately this will give conventional banks enough data to continue the program.