Creating an EV freeway from Canada to Mexico
The West Coast Clean Transit Corridor Initiative is an unprecedented collaboration among nine electric utilities and two agencies representing more than two dozen municipal utilities and aims to electrify 1,300 miles of I-5 from the Mexican to the Canadian border for freight haulers and delivery trucks.
S Curve Strategies partnered with HDR, CALSTART and Ross Strategies to work with each utility along the western seaboard on this effort that will create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from trucks. It recommends adding electric vehicle charging for freight haulers and delivery trucks at 50-mile intervals along Interstate 5 and adjoining highways.
“The results of this study provide a roadmap for electric utilities in Washington, Oregon and California to
help electrify transportation in a coordinated fashion. This study comes at a time when we believe major investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure will help significantly with economic recovery from COVID-19 in our states.”
Key Findings
Growth in EV use: By 2030, it’s estimated that medium- and heavy-duty trucks could make up nearly 25% of MD trucks and 5% of HD for a total of 8% of all trucks on the road in California Oregon and Washington.
Policies and programs: Clean fuel policies in West Coast states continue to drive transportation electrificat
Funding for infrastructure: Expanding state, federal or private programs that provide funding for electrification could further accelerate truck adoption.
Utility capacity: Most utilities in California, Oregon and Washington have enough capacity in urban areas along I-5 to support interconnections with the medium-duty charging sites. Rural areas are more of a challenge and no area has capacity, now, to serve HD site development.
Perspectives of fleet operators: Fleet operators identified that access to public charging would accelerate deployment of EVs because their trucks could use public sites to support their operations.
Standardization of infrastructure: Standardized systems of charging equipment for trucks (currently under development) would help drivers make the transition to EVs.
Range of electric trucks: Medium duty trucks assumed to have an average range of 90-120 miles during the next five years. Heavy-duty trucks assumed to have a range of 230-325 miles over the next 10 years.
“Electrifying delivery, freight and other commercial transportation on I-5 and adjoining highways will help bring us closer to achieving clean energy and environmental goals, and will mean major health benefits to the communities near those highways. This is especially true for underserved communities that are disproportionately impacted by carbon pollution.”
Long-Haul Emissions Reductions
Data shows that people who live near truck-traffic corridors experience higher rates of asthma, lung and heart disease and chronic bronchitis due largely to breathing toxic vehicle emissions, specifically diesel particulate matter. A recent study also indicates that increases in particulate pollution is associated with higher death rates among COVID-19 patients.
In California, the transportation sector accounts for nearly 80% of the state’s air pollution and more than 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Washington and Oregon face similar environmental challenges, transportation being the largest contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in those states as well.
“Electrifying transportation is a key component to reaching our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. As a transportation hub, reducing diesel emissions in long-haul transportation will further our goals of clean air and sustainable communities in our region and along the entire West Coast. We are pleased to be taking a comprehensive, interstate approach to clean transportation.”
