It’s begun.   The California mandate (Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation, approved on 28 April 2023 by the California Air Resources Board) to only purchase tractors (the kind that haul trailers) that are powered by hydrogen or electricity.  The problem is that there are insufficient charging stations for these tractors (let alone a dearth of hydrogen fuel supply sites).

Not to mention that electric trucks run about twice the price of diesel-powered tractors.  Right now, the big rigs are available from Volvo.  Mach Trucks (also under the Volvo moniker) are providing Class 6 and 7 (less capable of hauling freight) tractors.

An aside:  Tractor Classification

(Truck classification follows the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating [GVWR]- the maximum truck weight plus the load carried on the trailer or truck bed attached to the tractor. (It also includes fuel or batter, passengers, etc.)

A class 6 truck is rated between 19,501 and 26,000 pounds. That means it is a medium duty commercial truck (single axle trucks with bodies, beverage trucks, etc.)

Class 7 is the lowest of the heavy duty tractor classifications.  Rated between 26,001 and 33,000 pounds capacity, these tractors have three axles typically.  We used class 7 trucks to haul 28 foot trailers (local [250 mile radius] deliveries)- but with electric batteries, about 1/3 of that trailer would have to be empty to stay within the GVWR rating.

Class 8 vehicles are the big rigs, hauling more than 33,000 pounds.  They are called heavy duty or severe duty vehicles.  (If one were looking at conventional tractors, one would see Freightliners, Kenworth’s, and Peterbilts so rated.

That also means time delay for truck drivers- to find a charging station, to charge the tractor, etc.  Because a 10 mile tow (if they run out of flue) will run them $ 600-which means no profit for their run.  And, while there is a charging station nearby to the Port of Long Beach (9 miles away), the duration for the charge for the tractor (from ½ to 90% of maximum) is one hour!  (That adds significantly to the time worked, which means one’s revenue is  significantly lowered.)  Yes, before this mandate, one could cover 6 hauls a day- now it’s one or two.

There’s another problem.  These chargers are also available for use by passenger cars.  Which means pulling the tractor-trailer combination astride the charger is tough- because of the tight fit with the passenger vehicles.  So, one has to disconnect the trailer (oh, where, oh, where can one leave that- without getting a ticket?) and then just have the tractor approach the charger.  And, if two tractors are using the same charging station that one hour duration for a 40% increase in battery capacity is lengthened dramatically.

Oh, and with the significant weight increase for the battery operated tractor, the maximum load capacity that can be hauled is also diminished.  So, one either hauls lighter freight or less freight. Either way, one’s potential income is decreased.

Which means truckers are wont to add a surcharge for delivery.  Hmm.  That will mean an increase in consumer costs.  (Yes, that means price inflation.)

This needs more consideration by the authorities!

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