Electric Semi Trucks Pledge for a Greener Future

Industries worldwide depend on reliable services from semi-trucks. Therefore, they want to keep up with the demand for the products they offer. Unfortunately, for the environment, those very semi-trucks that we rely on daily to deliver our groceries. Emissions and particulate matter are too much!  In addition, electrical supplies and gadgets, clothing and other merchandise. Now they don’t get very many miles for every gallon of fuel they use. As well, and more interesting, they also account for over half the deadly pollutants that leave a carbon footprint. As well as greenhouse gases, in our atmosphere.

Historical Perspective

To begin, since 1990, freight transport has seen a rapid growth. Seems like growth of more than 50 percent. Analysts also expect growth to continue rapidly. So rapidly that by the year 2050, it is expected to produce more global emissions than passenger vehicles produce. Thanks to organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. They created large programs have been implemented to partner with the trucking and transportation industry. They are working to set sites on using renewable energy.  In addition, they want to go green and gear up for electric trucks on the roadways.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

SmartWay

So let’s take a look at the programs these organizations have introduced the trucking and freight industry. Firstly, the Environmental Protection Agency started the SmartWay Program. This program partners with trucking companies to improve logistics.  All in order to cut down on the carbon footprint left on the environment. So thanks to this program and the efforts of the EPA to bring awareness to transport companies like A-1 Auto Transport. Seems they have taken strides to make a change. Also to go green by implementing green technology and raising awareness of how businesses can do their part to save the environment.

SmartWay works to show how trucking companies can help the environment. All by using fuel-saving technologies to help reduce the overall fuel usage and emissions put out by freight trucks each year. In addition, they work with companies to help them find better strategies for operations, logistics and transport to help improve the environment.

SuperTruck Initiative

Furthermore, the Department of Energy (DoE) started the SuperTruck Initiative to work with companies to help get them on the track to being more fuel efficient. USDOE has  worked with companies to develop new breakthrough technologies. Technologies for advanced combustion engines, better aerodynamics. As well as lighter materials to help cut down on the amount of fuel used. Which means, they are currently working on advanced technologies to further reduce the amount of fuel used in the trucking industry over the next decade. Hence, the goal is to eventually have all trucks on the roadways utilizing the technology.  Thereby to cut down on oil usage by around 300 million barrels each year. This would not only help cut down on the carbon footprint, as we know.  Yet, it would help truck operators save nearly $20,000 annually on the cost of fuel.

So the Department of Energy offered trucking companies a commitment to match them up to $20 million for working on advanced technologies to lower their carbon footprint. Peterbilt and other companies have since used those funds to develop new fuel-efficient technologies including hybridization and electric engine components for semi-trucks.

Tesla

Tesla is well-known. Especially in the electric vehicle sector. However, they are now gearing up for the electric Semi truck market too. They are marketing their semi-truck as the safest, most comfortable truck ever and from its appearance.  Crazy thing: it may be just that.

First of all, the Tesla electric semi can travel between 300 and 500 miles on a full charge and can save up to $200,000 in fuel costs annually. What a savings! Therefore, the truck also features an enhanced autopilot to help avoid roadway collisions and places the driver in a center seat to allow for the best visibility when driving.

As well, with an expected base price of $150,000, this truck will pay for itself. That’s as a result of fuel savings alone. That’s in just under two years of ownership. On average, long distance truckers in the United States spend around $70,000 on fuel annually. While the Tesla electric semi-truck will cut down on the cost of fuel, it will also cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. For truckers who are still in regular diesel fueled trucks, they try to save. Truckers decrease driving speeds to 65 mph and avoid sudden acceleration. Yet that only with braking can help lower emissions by at least 25 percent.

Customers? We Got Customers!

Tesla’s semi-truck is expected to go into production by 2019 and the company is already taking reservations for the Tesla semi now.  Here are the companies who have already placed their orders to purchase the Tesla electric semi-trucks:

1. Anheuser-Busch

2. Walmart

3. Ryder

4. Pepsi

5. Sysco

6. Freedom

7. Loblaw

8. Meijer

9. DHL

10. UPS

11. J.B. Hunt

12. Best Transportation

13. Giretka Logistics

14. Mecca and Son Trucking

15. Asko

16. Flexport

17. JK Moving

Finally, auto manufacturers are taking strides to develop new technology advancing electric semi-trucks.  Now to merge them onto the roadways globally.  Seems like it won’t take long for them to have trucking and transport companies lined up.  In order to take possession of their new electric trucks. While it will take time to fully develop the new trucks, these small steps are necessary.  Likewise, the free market will lead others to take steps to make necessary changes.  In conclusion, to take steps toward a greener future for the trucking industry.