Let’s Keep Future Truck and Fuel Options Open in California

by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum) Later this week the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will consider a controversial rule that if enacted, will require trucking fleets in California to purchase only zero emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles after 2040. You read that right. It means starting in 2040, trucking fleets in the state wouldn’t be able to buy whatever generation of diesel truck, using whatever kind of low carbon, renewable, or e-fuel available at that time.

Some advocates for CARB’s proposal have a “if it’s not all electric and not here tomorrow, it’s not good enough” view. This near-sighted mindset jeopardizes the ultimate success of introducing zero-emission commercial vehicles to the mass market as well as ensuring continued progress on cleaner air and carbon reductions in the meantime.

What if in 2040 everything hasn’t worked out as projected with zero emissions vehicles, or charging infrastructure, or hydrogen availability? What if a new innovation in fuels or advanced engines can deliver net zero carbon transportation at lower cost and be more available? Dictating one kind of vehicle will mean fewer truck choices for truck fleet owners, and likely a major rethinking of being a national trucking company serving freight customers outside of California.

According to our latest data from S&P Global Mobility, California is home to about 1.5 million commercial trucks – from large pick-up trucks, box trucks and up to semi-tractor trailer size units. About 1.1 million of these are diesel, and about 76% are 2007 and older units. Of the largest Class 8 tractor-trailer size trucks about 52% are 2007 and older units, meaning they are not equipped with the latest emissions control technology.

CARB has pushed diesel to achieve near-zero emissions now and even nearer-to-zero starting in 2027. It’s not unreasonable that new diesel trucks in California in 2027 will challenge even the most advanced emissions measuring technology to get an accurate reading. Not to mention that background ambient intake air will likely have higher levels of pollution than the air coming out of the tailpipe!

Zero emissions vehicles may hold great promise when the marketplace and supporting infrastructure is fully in place, and CARB is working hard to ensure that. If guaranteed returns in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and boosting clean air in local communities is as important in the near term as 18 years from now, then California is going to rely mostly on the advanced generation of diesel to deliver these benefits.

Just like now, where the fleet of diesel truck engines using low-carbon renewable biodiesel fuels have achieved more greenhouse gas emissions reductions than the entire electric vehicle fleet consistently over the last few years according to the California Energy Commission.

That’s real progress attacking climate change delivered by diesel and renewable biodiesel fuels.

The trucking industry is a conduit of commerce by its very nature; one of national scope with the ability to deliver everything thing our economy needs, whenever and wherever we need it. Diesel became the technology of choice for commercial trucking sometime in the 1960s and hasn’t looked back since. The ideal scenario for trucking’s fleet future is a mix; a balanced investment portfolio of liquid and low-risk, solid performing investments with good returns (advanced diesel, renewable biofuels, natural gas) along with longer term higher risk, higher yield options (hydrogen, electrification). No one can guarantee what the future will hold. Higher risk investments come with more uncertainty and disclaimers, just like the fine print says. READ MORE

Excerpt from Poltico Pro: The push to phase out gas-fueled vehicles in California is turning full-speed to trucks, including the biggest ones used to haul cargo to and from other states.

The California Air Resources Board on Thursday will take feedback on a first-in-the-nation draft mandate that would require companies to buy an increasing number of zero-emission trucks beginning as early as 2024. The rule would affect private and public truck fleets operated by companies with at least $50 million in revenue, or that control more than 50 trucks. Any new trucks purchased for those fleets would have to be carbon-free.

A company like Amazon that uses outside delivery services would also have to meet the requirements. And there's special attention being paid to big rigs that travel through neighborhoods on their way to ports and rail yards. Those companies — whether they operate just one truck or many — would have to buy zero-emitting vehicles starting in 2024, when adding to their fleets. READ MORE

Excerpt from ACT News: The good news is that a new and different service offering is giving fleets some much needed help. The new EV fleet-as-a-service (FaaS) business model helps solve these problems with a simple concept — rather than purchasing vehicles, a fleet signs up to operate a fully charged EV for one low monthly price, for less than the cost of gasoline or diesel. This eliminates long, expensive planning cycles and massive upfront capital expenditures. Through this service agreement, fleets meet ACF’s ZEV compliance while gaining the experience they need so they are better informed to select their own vehicles and charging equipment when planning their own facility upgrades over time.

This service is not available everywhere yet, but one of the first locations is near LAX airport in Los Angeles, operated by Zeem Solutions. READ MORE