Summary
- Focus on high-potential corridors with strong GDP, climate action, and low-carbon electricity
- Align charging infrastructure with local needs by drilling down to county-level data
- Start with collaborative pilots and scalable microgrids for electric truck charging
- Consider factors such as GDP per capita, climate action orientation, and carbon intensity of electricity when prioritizing states for electric truck focus
- Prioritize states along the west coast, northeastern coastal states, and specific cross-country routes for initial electric truck charging corridors
Article
In their recent analysis, experts Rish Ghatikar and Michael Barnard discuss the strategic rollout of electric truck charging microgrids in the USA. They emphasize the importance of focusing on high-potential corridors with strong GDP, climate action, and low-carbon electricity. By drilling down to county-level data, they suggest aligning the charging infrastructure with local needs to drive adoption. The authors highlight the challenges of deciding where to start with deploying electric truck charging microgrids, considering factors like GDP per capita, climate action orientation, and carbon dioxide emissions per kilowatt hour (CO2e/kWh) of electricity.
The authors propose a key set of filters to assist in making strategic choices, categorizing states based on GDP per capita, climate action orientation, and electricity carbon intensity. They identify the western and northeastern coastal states as highly ranked based on these criteria, suggesting the creation of green truck charging corridors in these regions. The analysis also includes tiered states and groupings based on their scores in these categories, with California standing out as a top-performer in all three. The authors stress the importance of accurate assessment of electricity carbon intensity at a county level to ensure the success of charging microgrid deployments.
One of the significant factors in deciding the strategic focus for electric trucks is the trajectory of carbon intensity in grid subregions across the US. The authors discuss the importance of considering factors beyond just carbon dioxide emissions, such as methane and nitrous oxides, in determining the carbon intensity of electricity. They also highlight the need to select pilot routes strategically, involving high-profile locations with willing participants to ensure success. The approach outlined by the authors aims to address the complex regulatory and stakeholder barriers faced in deploying microgrids.
For logistics firms and truck stop chains, the authors recommend a comprehensive analysis that includes existing facilities, market connections, and route traffic volumes. They suggest subdividing the analysis to the county level for accurate carbon intensity assessment and analyzing the feasibility of incremental sizings for charging microgrids. By targeting locations with low carbon intensity grid subregions and high traffic volumes, they aim to optimize the deployment of electric truck charging infrastructure. Overall, the authors provide a systematic approach to strategic decision-making in the electrification of trucking in the US.
As experts in sustainability, transportation, and strategy, Ghatikar and Barnard bring a wealth of knowledge to the analysis of electric truck charging microgrid deployment. Their focus on aligning charging infrastructure with local needs, considering multiple factors such as GDP, climate action orientation, and electricity carbon intensity, offers a comprehensive framework for decision-making in this emerging field. By prioritizing high-potential corridors and collaborating with key stakeholders in the industry, the authors pave the way for the accelerated adoption of electric truck charging solutions across the country.
Read the full article here
