CalHEAT Forum Discusses Zero/Near Zero Emission Solutions for Trucks

CALSTART, the California Energy Commission and over 150 stakeholders of the California Hybrid, Efficient and Advanced Truck Research Center (CalHEAT) gathered at Banning’s Landing Community Center for the CalHEAT First Annual Forum.   The all-day event brought experts and stakeholders together to discuss how getting to zero emissions can happen through the use of clean technologies and fuels and creative, thoughtful policy initiatives.  The interactive dialog provided attendees with some valuable answers to lead the communities, industry, fleets, and decision makers to this critical goal affecting economics, the environment, and public health.  Some of the outcomes and barriers attendees heard are outlined below.  

1. The aim of zero (or near zero) NOx (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) emissions for trucks is largely driven by California’s two extreme non-attainment areas, the  South Coast Air Quality Management District and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Mobile source NOx will need to be reduced by 75% to comply with federal standards by 2023. Future new trucks will need to be at or near zero NOx to make the math work.

2. The San Pedro ports, and the corridor that links the ports to LA’s rail center and warehouses, have the highest concentration of cancer risk in the LA metro area.  Here too, zero emission truck solutions are a strong priority for the communities around which the port truck traffic is centered.

3. The truck industry has not focused on the development of zero or near-zero solutions yet.  

4. The truck industry has not received clarity in the requirements for zero or near-zero emission trucks.

5. Fleets have not demanded zero or near-zero emission trucks.

6. There are no clear winners yet but numerous potential solutions including electrification, hybridization, near zero emission natural gas options.  CalHEAT is studying all of these potential solutions and others.

7. Markets need to be big enough to support industry R&D investments.  Markets need to be broader than just the California extreme nonattainment areas and port traffic corridors.

Significant takeaways from the Forum included important input for the CalHEAT Technology Roadmap under development. This is the beginning of the CalHEAT research process  which will continue to solicit input over the next couple of years as it studies solutions to California’s -- and the country’s --  air quality and energy challenges.

For more information about CalHEAT, contact Fred Silver at CALSTART - fsilver@calstart.org or 626/744-5687.