Abstract

California has ambitious goals to introduce zero-emission technologies across various transportation sectors. Significant progress has been made over the past decades in deploying battery electric light-duty trucks, but heavy-duty diesel trucks are harder to “decarbonize” due to their operational demands and duty cycles, even though the benefits of replacing heavily polluting diesel trucks are significant. Front line communities where diesel vehicles operate the most, especially those near seaports and warehouses, bear the brunt of the pollution from these vehicles and stand to benefit the most from their electrification. Hydrogen fuel cell technology represents a promising approach for transitioning these trucks to zero-emission but the costs and benefits over time must be carefully considered. One way to do this with regard to environmental impacts is using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, which analyzes and accounts for the various impacts of fuel production and use, including overall energy use, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), emissions of other air pollutants, and soil and water impacts.

Abstract

California has ambitious electrification goals which include the electrification of 100% of off-road vehicles and equipment “where feasible.” While light duty vehicle electrification is progressing—25% of new car sales are now electric and the charging infrastructure is expanding— progress on electrifying off road equipment, such as construction machinery, has been much slower.

To better understand the barriers and opportunities, interviews were conducted with 16 stakeholders, including construction firms, equipment manufacturers, rental companies, public agencies, other researchers, and nonprofits. Their insights highlight the technical, economic, and social challenges facing this sector, as well as potential strategies to accelerate adoption.