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 Supply Chain insight

No-Emission Trucks

Next year, truck manufacturers will need to supply 9% of trucks sold in California to be zero-emission. But this is tougher than it sounds: Batteries add substantial weight —decreasing payload. Consider an EV Hummer weighs in at 9,000# Batteries demand huge recharging infrastructure and potentially long waits — and today, there is no/limited infrastructure Hydrogen has two competing technologies — no winner yet: Fuel cells Standard internal combustion engines fed with hydrogen Hydrogen has no/limited infrastructure and no standard for things like pressure and nozzle size (Europe plans to have hydrogen every 200 km by 2031).

Next year, truck manufacturers will need to supply 9% of trucks sold in California to be zero-emission. But this is tougher than it sounds:

  • Batteries add substantial weight —decreasing payload. Consider an EV Hummer weighs in at 9,000#
  • Batteries demand huge recharging infrastructure and potentially long waits — and today, there is no/limited infrastructure

Hydrogen has two competing technologies — no winner yet:

  • Fuel cells
  • Standard internal combustion engines fed with hydrogen

Hydrogen has no/limited infrastructure and no standard for things like pressure and nozzle size (Europe plans to have hydrogen every 200 km by 2031).PastedGraphic-2 (4)-1

My take— don’t count out diesel. It will be around for a long time. California will see battery applications in smaller local delivery straight trucks — and maybe more yard-jockeys. Class 8 long-haul loads need the power of fossil fuel for now.