How EVC's Early Adopters are Paving the Way to Zero Emissions

These business are proving they're built different. Some leaders see a change on the horizon and push their way ahead of it. The reward for the extra hustle? Maximized incentives that will never be seen again, and zero emissions compliance ahead of the curve.

Cal Energy's SEA Electric 5E with Custom Lift-Gate

First on our starting line-up is Cal Energy Operating Corporation. Having taken delivery of the SEA Electric 5E EV in June of 2023 with a custom lift-gate allowing this heavy-duty ZEV truck to be their first EV purchase, Cal Energy is phasing in zero emissions for transportation within their own network of locations. They are ready to soon take delivery of the Phoenix Motorcars Zeus 500 to further their efforts in not only providing green energy but implementing sustainability throughout their operations.

Advance Plastics' SEA Electric 5E Box Truck

Next in the all-star lineup is Advance Plastics, a custom plastic injection molder based in San Diego County, CA. For their customers preferring delivery of products locally, Advance Plastics utilized $129k in HVIP rebates to purchase the SEA Electric 5E in order to deliver products manufactured for their customers like the Spooner Balance Boards, which are unique tools that teach kids to surf.

Last but not least, is it possible to have a "clean" trash business? Absolutely! And Key Disposal has their sights set on a clean, green future as they seek to be the cleanest trash company in town!

This family owned and operated business has been serving our community for the past 60 years with waste collection and recycling. Key Disposal is dedicated to the environment always seeking better ways to Reuse, Reduce and Recycle! So it is absolutely fitting that they were one of EV Choice’s first zero emissions customers getting ahead of the EV game!

Johnnie and Juan with Key Disposal

"Electric trucks are the way to go for these," says Johnnie, owner of Key Disposal. "This is the first truck I’ve bought that I didn’t have to take back. All I do is park it in the lot and plug it in.”

Key Disposal is dedicated to creating cost effective solutions for recycling, diverting and materials recovery of collections for the goal of protecting the environment. This means that going zero emissions is no question in supporting the company’s vision of being a positive force for the environment in the greater LA community.

Juan, Key Disposal's lead mechanic, was shaking his head in disbelief at first. But after a thorough inspection, circling the vehicle completely, he turned to Johnnie with a grin and declared, "No more oil changes!"

“Diesels, I’m done with them," says Johnnie. "They have done nothing but cost me money.”

Key Disposal's SEA 5E EV Trash Bin Hauler

Gearing Up for Clean Deliveries: The White House Unveils a Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Plan

The rumble of freight trucks is a constant hum in the background of American life, delivering essential goods across the country. But this essential service comes at a cost - air pollution linked to health problems, especially in communities near major shipping routes. To tackle this issue, the Biden-Harris administration has unveiled a game-changing plan: the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy.

This strategy isn't about banning diesel trucks overnight. Instead, it's a roadmap for building a network of charging stations and hydrogen fueling infrastructure along key freight corridors. Imagine a future where electric and hydrogen-powered trucks glide silently along highways, leaving behind clean air instead of exhaust fumes.

The plan prioritizes strategic investment, focusing on high-traffic areas first. This phased approach aims to create a network of charging and fueling hubs by 2040, making zero-emission freight a viable option for long-distance haulers.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) published the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy(PDF) to guide the deployment of commercial zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (ZE-MHDVs) and associated infrastructure from 2024 to 2040. The National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy prioritizes infrastructure along the National Highway Freight Network (NHFN) to be implemented through the following four-phases:

• Establishing priority hubs based on freight volume (2024-2027);

• Connecting hubs along freight corridors (2027-2030);

• Expanding corridor connections and initiating network development (2030-2035); and

• Achieving a national network by linking regional corridors (2035-2040).
  

The strategy is to serve as a guide for public and private deployment of ZE-MHDV infrastructure along the NHFN and connecting corridors.

The road to zero-emission freight won't be without challenges. Battery range for electric trucks and the availability of hydrogen fuel are hurdles that need to be addressed. However, this strategy represents a significant step forward, bringing together public and private efforts to create a cleaner, healthier future for the freight industry and the communities it serves.

This is just the beginning of the journey towards zero-emission freight. Stay tuned for further developments as the strategy unfolds and clean trucks take center stage on American highways.

California's New Regulations for Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicles and TRUs

Clean Truck Check

The Clean Truck Check program (formerly the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance program) requires reporting, vehicle testing, and compliance fees for non-gasoline vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds operating in California. Similar to California's Smog Check program for light-duty vehicles, the goal of Clean Truck Check is to ensure that heavy-duty vehicles operating in California remain equipped with properly functioning emissions controls, and when malfunctioning, that these components are repaired in a timely manner.

By December 31, 2023, vehicle owners need to complete registration of their vehicles in the Clean Truck Check database and pay a $30 per vehicle 2023 annual compliance fee.

Advanced Clean Fleets

The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation applies to fleets that operate drayage vehicles, fleets owned by state, local, and federal government agencies, and high-priority fleets. High-priority fleets are entities that:

• Own, operate, or direct at least one vehicle in California.

• Have either gross annual revenues of $50 million or more, or

• Own, operate, or have common ownership or control of a total of 50 or more vehicles (excluding light-duty package delivery vehicles).

The regulation affects medium- and heavy-duty on-road vehicles with a GVWR greater than 8,500 pounds, off-road yard tractors, and light-duty mail and package delivery vehicles.

Drayage Trucks

• Beginning January 1, 2024, all drayage trucks operating in California must be registered in the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Online System.

• Non-zero-emission "legacy" drayage trucks may register in the CARB Online System through December 31, 2023.

• Legacy drayage trucks can continue to operate through their minimum useful life, which is typically 18 years.

• Beginning January 1, 2024, only zero-emission drayage trucks may register in the CARB Online System.

• All drayage trucks entering seaports and intermodal railyards will be required to be zero-emission by 2035.

State and Local Government Fleets

State and local government fleets in California are required to purchase zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for a portion of their annual vehicle purchases. The specific requirements are as follows:

• Beginning January 1, 2024: 50% of all annual vehicle purchases must be ZEVs.

• Beginning January 1, 2027: 100% of all annual vehicle purchases must be ZEVs.

Small government fleets (those with 10 or fewer vehicles) and those in designated counties are not required to start purchasing ZEVs until January 1, 2027. However, they are encouraged to do so sooner.

State and local government fleet owners may also elect to meet ZEV targets using the ZEV Milestones Option. This option allows them to purchase a mix of ZEVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, as long as they meet certain milestones.

The ZEV Milestones Option is available until January 1, 2030. After that date, all state and local government fleets will be required to purchase 100% ZEVs.

High priority and federal fleets.

High priority and federal fleets must comply with the Model Year Schedule or may elect to use the optional ZEV Milestones Option to phase-in ZEVs into their fleets:

Model Year Schedule: Fleets must purchase only ZEVs beginning in 2024 and, starting January 1, 2025, must remove internal combustion engine vehicles at the end of their useful life as specified in the regulation.

ZEV Milestones Option (Optional): Instead of the Model Year Schedule, fleets may elect to meet ZEV targets as a percentage of the total fleet starting with vehicle types that are most suitable for electrification.

Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM)

The TRU ATCM applies to owners and operators of diesel-fueled TRUs and TRU generator sets that operate in California, regardless of whether they are registered in or outside the state. This regulation requires zero-emission truck TRUs, a PM emission standard for newly manufactured non-truck TRUs, TRU reporting, TRU labeling, facility registration, and fees.