Green Transportation 101: Understanding the Path to Eco-Friendly Fleets
With a growing urgency to reduce carbon emissions and meet climate action goals, policymakers and industry leaders are sharpening their focus on opportunities to integrate green transportation into the networks that keep people and goods moving throughout the region. But what does it take to make this transition happen? In this month’s blog, we’ll explore the essentials of the transition to a green commercial transportation network, including the vehicles that drive it, the infrastructure that fuels it, and the knowledge gaps we still need to fill.
Our Work in Green Transportation
The Regional Infrastructure Accelerator program began its zero-emission transportation work in 2022 with an undertaking to accelerate the decarbonization of drayage vehicles serving the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. This work – coupled with participation in the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s Zero-Emission Truck Collaborative – enabled our team to host an event called “Paying for the MHD ZEV Transition in Washington State”, which explored funding and financing to support the adoption of clean technologies on our state’s roadways. Building on these efforts, PNWER was selected by California-based CALSTART to lead stakeholder engagement and co-author Washington’s zero-emission commercial vehicle and infrastructure incentive program design on behalf of the state’s Joint Transportation Committee.
Our second grant cycle and allows us to expand our Zero-Emission Commercial Corridors program area to accelerate green freight projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. While we’re working to accelerate our two new ZE Corridor projects, our team remains passionate about addressing the information gaps we see in our work with the emerging medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle (MHD ZEV) and infrastructure sector.
One of the themes we’ve seen in our work accelerating MHD ZEV projects is a general lack of understanding about what needs to happen from a technology, infrastructure, and policy perspective to make the transition of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to zero-emission technology successful.
At this year’s Green Transportation Summit and Expo in Tacoma, WA, the PNWER RIA teamed up with the PNWER Legislative Energy Horizon Institute (LEHI) program to host an orientation on the basics of green transportation and infrastructure to help policymakers and industry leaders make informed decisions about the green transportation landscape as it relates to the medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on our roads.
Framing the Challenge
Building on PNWER RIA’s work in the medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle and infrastructure sector, our team has categorized the barriers to successfully making the transition to MHE ZEVs into three challenge areas:
Vehicle Access and Affordability
Zero-Emission Refueling Infrastructure Availability
Workforce Development, Reskilling, & Information Gaps
This framework structured the “Green Transportation 101: Understanding the Path to Eco-Friendly Fleets” session at GTSE, which provided an overview of the zero- and low-emission vehicle technology available today, the infrastructure needed to meet green transportation refueling needs, and why companies are decarbonizing their supply chains.
Vehicles
Transportation is Washington state’s largest greenhouse gas contributor, yielding 39% of total statewide emissions as of 2019. To address this, more companies and governments are adopting low or zero-emissions vehicles for their operations. From hydrogen electric to fully battery powered, the market for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is swiftly expanding.
Why are fleet managers moving towards zero-emission technologies?
There are a variety of drivers motivating fleet managers, businesses and governments to adopt zero-emission technologies for their operations. Mike Gerty, director of power train planning and definition at PACCAR, said greenhouse gas emissions and zero-emission vehicle regulations are the biggest motives for companies to make the switch. Some of these requirements include:
EPA’s Phase 3 greenhouse gas rule: The rule aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, by setting more stringent standards on vehicle model years 2028-2032.
Washington state’s zero-emission vehicle standards: Washington state’s zero-emission vehicle policies require an increasing percentage of ZEV sales each year, and that all sales of new light and medium-duty vehicles to be ZEVs by 2035. The state also adopted California’s Advanced Clean Trucks requirements, which require manufacturers to sell a percentage of zero-emission trucks in Washington starting with the 2025 model year.
In addition to regulatory requirements, the reduced cost of maintenance, available financial incentives and suitability considerations are appealing benefits to businesses considering making the switch.
Defining Zero Emission
“A zero-emission vehicle is a vehicle that releases no tailpipe air pollution,” according to the Washington State Department of Ecology. Under this definition, there are two types of zero-emission vehicles:
Battery electric vehicles run on batteries that are recharged with electricity.
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles run on electricity from a fuel cell using compressed hydrogen. These vehicles must be refueled with compressed hydrogen.
Battery Electric Vehicles
Battery electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles store electricity that is used to power the vehicle’s electric motor. The batteries are recharged via charging stations and typically have a range of 150-550 miles, depending on the vehicle configuration and battery capacity. Electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles work well for a variety of use cases, including port transportation, urban deliveries and short-to-long haul trucking, depending on available infrastructure. Most major MHD vehicle manufacturers have a battery electric vehicle option available for purchase today, though delivery times vary.
Photo credit: Freightliner
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use a similar system to electric vehicles, but store hydrogen as energy that is converted to electricity by the fuel cell. The vehicles are fueled with pure hydrogen gas and can be refueled in about 30 minutes. With quick charging times and ranges up to 500 miles, FCEVs serve many short and long haul use cases well. Hydrogen vehicles are still a relatively new technology, but manufacturers are offering a growing number of FCEV medium- and heavy-duty options, and we can expect these numbers to increase as the region’s hydrogen economy continues to develop.
Photo credit: Scania
Infrastructure
A robust infrastructure network is the backbone of a successful green transportation system. As more medium- and heavy-duty vehicles hit our roads, the need for supporting infrastructure – from EV charging stations and hydrogen refueling facilities to enhanced grids – has never been greater. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at what the current infrastructure landscape looks like and how various industries in the infrastructure space are preparing to meet future demands.
To achieve a successful zero-emission commercial vehicle network, several components must be in sync – including vehicle accessibility, utility infrastructure readiness and enabling regulations. PACT, a coalition of truck manufacturers, charging infrastructure developers and technology providers, works to enable the adoption of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles through education, convening and advocacy. PACT estimates that to fuel 57,000 EV trucks in 2035, we’d need 40,000 chargers, 2+ gigawatts of capacity, $1.26 billion for charging equipment, and $1.7 billion for grid updates. This data underscores the need for a concerted effort by policymakers, technology manufacturers and utility providers to enable an accessible transition to a zero-emission network.
Fleet Charging Solutions
As more commercial electric vehicles come online, the need for increased charging infrastructure grows. One of the primary questions fleets ask in their transition to EVs is where they’ll place the infrastructure to best fit their needs. The graphic below outlines some of the most common charging use cases.
Charging Use Cases & Applications -- Chargepoly
AC/DC Charging
Described simply, there are two types of electric vehicle chargers – AC and DC. AC charging, known as Level 1 & 2, offers a slow and fast charging option, and is typically used for light duty vehicles. DC – Level 3 & 4 – is a rapid charger and delivers extra power for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Charging infrastructure is typically found onsite (integrated into a business) or offsite (a large, shared charging facility).
AC/DC Charging -- DTE
Green Hydrogen Transportation Infrastructure
Hydrogen is emerging as a cutting-edge fueling source for zero-emission vehicles, but its success relies on the development and deployment of hydrogen transportation infrastructure. The Washington State Department of Commerce, through its Office of Renewable Fuels, is leading state-wide efforts to support a broad hydrogen ecosystem. Commerce’s green hydrogen report anticipates strong demand and significant regional interconnection, with a specific focus on the Pacific Northwest Clean Hydrogen Hubs designated by the Department of Energy. Commerce, the Government of BC and PNWER are kick-starting the conversation on hydrogen’s potential by conducting a cross-border study that explores opportunities to build out a regional hydrogen economy, including refueling facilities for heavy-duty trucks and buses. Learn more here.
Power & Utility Demands
As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to accelerate, the power demand on our electric grid increases dramatically. Meeting the charging needs of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles requires a significant upgrade of grid infrastructure and utility deployment. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council forecasts in its 2029 Adequacy Assessment that Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana will require a load of 1,147 average megawatts for electric vehicles, with additional increases in power loads to satisfy new data centers and tech facilities. For reference, one megawatt can power between 500 - 1,000 homes. To help offset the impact on the grid, the Council suggests time-and-use charging, which encourages folks to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours, such as during nighttime. So, how are our local utilities preparing for this shift in energy needs?
Utilities such as Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy are preparing for this increase in demand by developing forecasts and resource plans, and working closely with their customers to understand future needs. Representatives from both utilities expressed that they’ll be working with customers to encourage time-and-use charging and other ways to lighten the load on the grid while supporting zero-emission vehicle deployment. One of the ways they’re doing this is by offering incentives to customers that otherwise wouldn’t have access to the zero-emission vehicle transition. Learn about incentive programs available at Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy.
Workforce & Information Gaps
While the push to adopt green transportation is gaining momentum, there are still significant knowledge and information gaps that need to be addressed to ensure a successful transition. Washington State University’s Green Transportation Program is just one of the region’s resources working to educate agencies and companies on the use of alternative fuels and vehicles. The WSU program offers technical assistance, webinars and workshops to ensure public sector fleets have a smooth transition to zero-emission vehicles and equipment. The program is currently preparing to administer a fleet assistance and qualification program for private sector fleets, as established in the Washington State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentive Program Design Strategy. Once deployed, the incentive program will offer financial incentives as well as technical assistance to fleets – especially those operating in small, disadvantaged or rural communities.
Learn more here about how Washington’s Green Transportation Program is bridging information gaps and increasing awareness about the transition to zero-emission transportation.
Speaker Appreciation
We appreciate the contributions to this session from our expert speakers!
Vehicles
State of the Technology | Mike Gerty, PACCAR
Industry Cooperation & Planning | Kevin Maggay, Navistar
Infrastructure
Hydrogen | Stephanie Celt, WA State Department of Commerce
EVSE Deployment | Kelly Desy, Chargepoly
Grid Readiness & Resilience | Dor Hirsh Bar Gai, Northwest Power and Conservation Council
Utilities Panel | David Logsdon, Seattle City Light; Heather Mulligan, Puget Sound Energy; Betz Mayer, PNWER RIA (Moderator)
Workforce & Information Gaps
Need for Technical Assistance | Jim Jensen, WSU, Washington Green Transportation Program
Get Involved!
The PNWER RIA Zero-Emission Commercial Corridors working group convenes public and private sector leaders in the green transportation space to identify opportunities for collaboration and project acceleration. Learn more about our work and sign up to get involved here.
Resources & Additional Information
EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulations
Zero-Emission Vehicle Regulations
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles | Department of Energy
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles | Kenworth
Types of EV Chargers | Bacancy
Northwest Power & Conservation Council 2029 Adequacy Assessment
PNNL Grid Operations, Decarbonization, Environmental and Energy Equity Platform (GODEEEP)
Upcoming Events
Greater Northwest Rail Summit | October 8-9 | Spokane, WA
The event will convene policymakers, industry leaders and rail advocates to enhance and expand the freight and passenger rail network in the Greater Northwest. Panels and roundtable discussions will focus on three key themes:
Enhancing freight railroad capacity to better serve customers
Expanding passenger rail service for rural and underserved communities
Advocating for increased federal investment in shared railroad infrastructure
PNWER Economic Leadership Forum | November 12 - 14 | Anchorage, AK
The Economic Leadership Forum provides an opportunity for local, provincial, and state leaders in both the public and private sectors to carry out in-depth discussions on key subjects affecting our regional economy.
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