A new long-term strategy to deploy zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (ZE-MHDV) charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure was introduced this week by the Biden Administration.
The administration’s National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy targets public investment to amplify private sector momentum, focus utility and regulatory energy planning, align industry activity, and improve air quality in local communities heavily impacted by diesel emissions.
“The Federal Highway Administration is pleased to announce these new freight EV corridor designations along our national highways,” Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said. “Medium- and heavy-duty trucks in our current freight network contribute approximately 23% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. transportation sector. These new designations and Strategy will help to grow our national EV charging network, encourage clean commerce within the freight community, and support President Biden’s goals of achieving net-zero emissions for the nation by 2050.”
The strategy, in place from 2024 to 2040, was developed by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It will be implemented in four phases:
• Establish priority hubs based on freight volumes (2024-2027)
• Connect hubs along critical freight corridors (2027-2030)
• Expand corridor connections initiating network development (2030-2035)
• Achieve national network by linking regional corridors for ubiquitous access (2035-2040)
In alignment with the Joint Office’s National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy, the Federal Highway Administration is announcing the designation of National EV Freight Corridors along the National Highway Freight Network and other key roadways. The designations are a critical part of the Administration’s strategy for building out a convenient, reliable, national EV charging network that supports individual drivers and commercial needs.
“This landmark strategy brings us one step closer to achieving a zero-emission transportation sector that provides clean air for communities, creates market certainty for industries investing in clean technology, and strengthens our supply chains,” Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) said. “I’m grateful to the Administration for advancing this whole-of-government effort and heeding my calls to launch a national strategy to accelerate the build-out of heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure.”
Since Biden took office, the number of publicly available EV chargers nationwide has increased by more than 80 percent to more than 173,000. Further, at least 40 U.S.-based facilities to produce EV chargers have been announced or opened. Biden’s Investing in America agenda has attracted more than $25 billion of investment in the U.S. EV charging network. These freight corridor designations are expected to crowd in even more investment for EV charging, with a particular focus on the needs of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Officials said a core objective of the strategy is to meet freight truck and technology markets where they are today, determine where they are likely to develop next, and set an ambitious pathway that mobilizes actions to achieve decarbonization.