Peterbuilt displays the all electric semi truck during the second day of the 2024 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, on Jan. 10, 2024. The Biden administration is rolling out its plan for deploying electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure on the nation’s freight corridors — part of a bid to decarbonize U.S. supply chains and accelerate the adoption of emission-free big rigs.
“This is a big move to deliver environmental justice; 75% of heavy truck traffic travels on just 4% of our nation’s roads, jeopardizing the health of our most vulnerable communities,” Zaidi said in an emailed statement. The move is in response to a growing clamor from truck manufacturers that say more public support is needed for charging stations, grid improvements and other infrastructure to spur the electrification of heavy vehicles.
The administration would prioritize investments over four phases, singling out the most heavily used freight corridors and ports for initial support. It would also direct investment to states with policies encouraging zero-emission vehicles and areas with significant air pollution. “This is really important to actually get and help make this a reality,” Macdonald-King said. “Infrastructure is a challenge; transferring over to zero-emission vehicles is a challenge. Having this support to get us there is really critical.”