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By Nadia Ramiagan
November 27, 2023
Clean-energy advocates in Ohio and around the country say now is the time for the government to ensure the nation has the medium- and heavy-duty truck infrastructure needed to keep electric-powered trucks charged and driving across the country.
Trucks transported more than 11 billion tons of freight last year, spewing air pollutants and greenhouse gases along the way.
John Boesel – CEO of CALSTART, a clean-transportation nonprofit group – explained that the Environmental Protection Agency is considering rules to require commercial vehicle manufacturers to drastically curb emissions in the coming years.
But he said the agency should also figure out how to roll out national infrastructure to keep pace with the adoption of EV trucks.
“The Biden administration has a tremendous opportunity to really make progress,” said Boesel, “in terms of supporting communities that have disproportionately been impacted by by diesel trucks and pollution.”
The roadmap developed by CALSTART calls for building truck-charging stations in areas where industry is already concentrated, and then integrating hubs and corridors into an ever-expanding network – mostly along established supply-chain routes.
Critics say trucking companies and drivers have concerns about EV costs, mileage range, battery weight and safety, charging time and availability.
This year, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the future locations of 27 new electric vehicle charging stations that will be installed along Ohio interstates.
Boesel said the growth of e-commerce has led to skyrocketing emissions, as more people and businesses order products online that are delivered by truck.
He said addressing the impact of heavy-duty vehicle pollution could lower public health risks for drivers, communities and the planet.
“In the future, we can see a society where we have trucks rolling around with zero emission and zero noise,” said Boesel, “truck drivers being much happier driving an electric truck.”
According to the market research firm PWC, the nation’s charging market will need to grow nearly tenfold to meet demand driven by an estimated 27 million EVs on the road by 2030.