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.

EVC's ZEV Delivers on Healthy Food and Clean Air to LA Communities

EV Choice (EVC), a provider of commercial zero emissions vehicles, delivers on a clean-air, zero emissions step van to facilitate a healthy food full retail mobile grocery store with SNAP and EBT accessibility for the Halo Food Project which is pioneered by the nonprofit, The Niles Foundation, to service disadvantaged, underserved communities in Los Angeles.

The Ford F59 equipped with a SEA-Drive® Power-System allows for this food justice initiative to work to address the root causes of food insecurity in South Los Angeles using an environmentally-friendly, sustainable approach ensuring deliveries are made with clean air in mind. The ZEV was purchased utilizing funds from the Innovative Small E-Fleets (ISEF) program, a California state program that provides point-of-sale rebates doubling standard HVIP incentives to privately-owned trucking companies, nonprofits and independent owner/operators with 20 or fewer trucks. The delivery of the ZEV to the Halo Food Project is a positive example of how the ISEF program is aiding small businesses and non-profits in making an impact in the fight against climate change.

Born and raised in South Los Angeles, The Niles Foundation's Founder and CEO, Shante Walker, grew up seeing a deficit of access, support, leadership programs, environmentally-friendly outdoor open spaces and equitable community development opportunities. Walker's goal in creating The Niles Foundation was to create youth leadership and entrepreneurship for disadvantaged communities in the area.

"We're giving back to even the floors, to look out for those who are overlooked, underserved and historically disadvantaged providing equity and equality where it's needed most," says Walker.

The Halo Food Project also offers nutrition education workshops and materials to help people make healthy choices about the food they eat. Funded by donations from individuals, business and grants, the project is working to improve the health of children and families with the support of volunteers who help to distribute food and provide nutrition education.

"The Halo Food Project is not just any grocery store but a mobile fresh food access grocery store that will benefit very low-income, underserved, underrepresented, disadvantaged and BIPOC communities of LA & South LA," said Walker. "The Niles Foundation’s Halo Food Project grocery store is a farm-direct-to-community that will offer service and products that are healthy, fresh, natural, organic and includes vegan and vegetarian options from locally and regionally sourced farmers, growers and food producers. In addition, we are also lifting up women, LGBTQ and BIPOC producers to supply our grocery store."

The Halo Food Project's innovative approach to addressing food insecurity is making a real difference in the lives of people in need while keeping the whole health and future of these communities in consideration.

"The Niles Foundation believes that equitable solutions need to be approached holistically and inclusively. We could have a vehicle running around town attempting to alleviate one problem by causing another," explained Walker. "While food is a basic need, so is clean air, and we wanted to provide both. This is the entire premise of why The Niles Foundation works to provide greater, better and long-term solutions for our disadvantaged communities. We want to add to decreasing GHG gas emissions while we are decreasing food insecurity at the same time. This is only the beginning. Even just one voice, is still a voice!"

If you are interested in supporting the Halo Food Project from The Niles Foundation, you can donate to the nonprofit or volunteer your time. Learn more about The Niles Foundation and the Halo Food Project here:

The Niles Foundation - https://thenilesfoundation.org

The Halo Food Project - https://thehalofoodproject.com

Contact EVC to learn more about the Innovative Small E-Fleet (ISEF) program for California state funding for zero emissions vehicles to see what a difference it can make!