So, yesterday, we spoke about electric drayage trucks and the California mandate for big rigs to convert from diesel.
The Advanced Clean Trucks rule adopted by the California Resources Board in 2030 (the EPA granted permission for this provision) will force truck manufacturers to convert to ZEV (Zero emission vehicles) to meet the 2035/2040 goals. And, also, as I mentioned, this will drag other states into the program (there are 14 other states that have adopted similar rules). That means 22% of the truck market will be so regulated.
(The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, Ford, GM, Daimler, Navistar, Isuzu, and Cummings have formed the Clean Truck Partnership and have all agreed to this legislation.)
But, not only will there be shortages of big rig chargers (and I am pretty sure the production of these vehicles will not be sufficient to cover market demand), these new tractors can be expected to cost as much as $ 120K more than a comparable diesel model. (You do realize that means trucking rates are going to have to go way up- or the truckers will need special subsidies).
Even if we do amplify the EV charger supply, we need to find a way to speed up the charging. rates. It will take at least five and maybe 10 hours to charge a big rig. (Compare that to the 15 minute refill of conventional fuel that lets the diesel truck travel 1200 miles. And, the electric rig will be limited to an about 200 or 250 mile journey.
To be honest, this is exactly what scares the Clean Truck Partnership. That a lack of charging stations will preclude customers from purchasing the trucks And, right now the infrastructure capability cannot meet the demands of the charging stations.
Sometimes, the left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing….
