What is CARB?
CARB, or the California Air Resources Board, is a regulatory agency responsible for addressing air quality and environmental issues related to transportation and various other sectors in California. CARB is responsible for developing and enforcing regulations to curb emissions from vehicles, fuels, and other transportation-related sources. This includes passenger cars, trucks, buses, off-road vehicles, and industrial equipment.
What Did CARB Just Do?
In April 2023, CARB approved the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation (ACF), which marked a dramatic shift towards accelerating commercial zero-emission transportation. This comprehensive framework for clean transportation focused on drayage, or cargo transportation to and from California’s intermodal seaports and railyards. To partake in shipping operations at California’s seaports or intermodal railyards, drayage trucks must be registered with CARB as a prerequisite. Under the regulation, while combustion-powered trucks must complete their registration process by December 31, 2023, only zero-emission drayage trucks can initiate registration from January 1, 2024 onward. This progression culminates in a defining objective: by 2035, CARB plans to exclusively list zero-emission drayage trucks, underscoring the resolute push towards a greener transportation landscape.
How Many Trucks Does This Impact?
The CARB drayage truck registry recorded roughly 140K total registered trucks, almost all in the Class 7 and Class 8 category, and 33,500 serving seaports and railyards annually. 28,700 of these trucks frequent these sites at least twice a week, totaling an average of 112 visits per year.
Why Does This Matter?
First and foremost, this is a huge step in one distinct way: the commercial zero-emissions transition has historically focused on light and medium duty vehicles, such as those used in passenger transportation, ride share or delivery fleets. However, this regulation directly targets heavy duty vehicles where there historically has been less conversation when it comes to zero-emissions, and the range and technology has historically not been seen as ready.
Why Drayage?
Drayage – with its relatively short distances – is a good candidate for the zero-emission transformation within heavy duty, relative to long-haul or OTR trucking. In the complex tapestry of transportation, drayage trucks play a crucial role in the intermodal transportation chain. They ferry containers and bulk goods to and from seaports and railyards, serving as the 18-wheel heroes of global trade and travel on average 150 miles a day. However, the emissions from these trucks are laden with pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and greenhouse gases (GHGs). The resulting air pollution, particularly in communities residing near ports and railyards, has raised concerns over public health and environmental justice.
While the move to clean up drayage promises a cleaner, more sustainable future, it also brings to light the urgent need for robust infrastructure to support this transformative transition. Furthermore, the vast majority of drayage companies are small businesses, highlighting the need for more inclusive solutions that support drayage owners in the costly efforts to register low-emission vehicles.
Infrastructure Challenges on the Horizon
The transition to zero-emission drayage trucks necessitates a comprehensive framework to ensure its success.
Charging and Refueling Stations: One key challenge lies in the development of robust and accessible charging and refueling infrastructure. Unlike traditional fueling stations, ZEVs require specific charging facilities that can handle the high energy demands of commercial vehicles. Moreover, the geographical distribution of these facilities must be strategically planned to ensure seamless operations for drayage companies across California’s expansive port and railyard network.
The backbone of ZEV adoption in drayage operations will be a network of well-designed and conveniently located charging and refueling stations, on around the ports, particularly focused on the need for heavy duty vehicles. These stations should cater to the unique energy demands of larger commercial vehicles and offer fast-charging options to minimize downtime for drayage trucks. Collaborations between government bodies, private entities, and utilities are essential to accelerate the deployment of these facilities.
Focus on Daily Operations and Maintenance. We’re seeing the rise of truck-as-a-service startups to help lower the upfront cost of aligning with CARB incentives. As the transition to zero-emission drayage trucks progresses, we’ll likely see more focus on this space. In addition, operations providers focused on daily challenges played by ZEV owners will pay a pivotal role by expanding the services needed to lower the barriers to entry and operations. These can include partnerships with established maintenance service providers and support for the repair and maintenance of zero-emission drayage vehicles.
Investment and Incentives for vehicle purchasing: Establishing a comprehensive infrastructure network requires significant investment. Government incentives and grants can play a pivotal role in encouraging private entities to invest in charging and refueling stations. These incentives can alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with infrastructure development, making it an attractive venture for both established players and newcomers.
Collaboration and Partnerships: The transition to zero-emission drayage operations necessitates collaborative efforts among various stakeholders. Government agencies, port authorities, energy companies, and drayage operators must collaborate to ensure that infrastructure plans align with the needs of the industry. Such partnerships can lead to optimized placement of facilities and streamlined implementation.
Technological Innovation: The emergence of advanced technologies, such as smart grid systems and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, can revolutionize the way ZEV infrastructure operates. Smart charging systems can distribute energy efficiently, minimizing strain on the grid during peak hours. V2G technology allows vehicles to discharge energy back into the grid when not in use, transforming ZEVs into mobile energy resources.
Benefits Beyond Compliance: Advantages of Robust ZEV Infrastructure
The journey towards establishing better facilities for zero-emission drayage operations extends beyond regulatory compliance. It offers a multitude of benefits that resonate far beyond cleaner air and reduced emissions:
Economic Growth: Infrastructure development creates jobs and drives economic growth. From construction and maintenance to operation and administration, the entire ecosystem around ZEV infrastructure can stimulate local economies.
Technological Advancement: The need for advanced charging and refueling solutions fosters innovation in energy management and storage technologies. As the demand for efficient infrastructure grows, so does the incentive to develop cutting-edge solutions.
Positioning for the Future: Drayage companies that invest in ZEV infrastructure position themselves as leaders in sustainable transportation. This proactive stance not only complies with regulations but also resonates positively with environmentally conscious consumers and partners and focuses on improving outcomes – and even job prospects – for the communities that have historically been on the receiving end.
Forging a Path Towards a Sustainable Tomorrow
The ambitious move by California to mandate zero-emission drayage vehicles is a testament to the state’s commitment to a greener, healthier future. However, this shift isn’t just about replacing traditional vehicles with cleaner alternatives – it’s about building an entire ecosystem that can support and sustain this transformation. Through collaboration, innovation, investment, and technological advancement, California’s journey towards sustainable drayage operations can serve as a blueprint for regions around the world aspiring to reshape their transportation landscapes. As we forge ahead, the path to zero-emission drayage operations offers not just cleaner air, but also a glimpse into the boundless possibilities of a more sustainable and resilient future.
