The Problems Facing Wide-Scale Use of Electric Trucks.

In the future, transportation will be greener on a larger scale. We already have low to no carbon emission trucks. There will be an increase in usage of these vehicles once the industry determines how to solve the issue of electrification infrastructure and the low-mileage nature of these vehicles. Currently, the average range of electric trucks is 250-500 miles, but long-haul demand calls for vehicles that can travel longer distances. Many say that the range of these trucks are in line with the time limitation placed on drivers, as drivers can only drive around 660 miles per day in the best-case scenario. However, many long-haul drivers operate as teams in order to maximize their ability to move freight and overcome hours of service restrictions. These new electric vehicles are not conducive to a team driver operation.

Then there is the concept of forced implementation of electric vehicle use. California is banning diesel trucks by 2040. This is going to have a significant effect on California truck companies and those companies who send trucks into the state. Because the state has a
number of major ports and accounts for most of the U.S. imports, this is a major issue that we have 18 years to figure out. But if we don't there is also the court system.

Another consideration is the infrastructure needed to charge these new heavy-duty vehicles. Charging an electric car can equate to the amount of electricity used by one house. Charging a truck would be like powering a stadium on game day, around 350 kilowatts. Currently, we do not have enough infrastructure to support a large number of trucks being able to charge at one time. While trucking is just one aspect of clean transportation, it presents questions that can be raised throughout the industry.

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