Commercial, Distributed Energy Resources, GHG Emissions  -  March 18, 2024

DOE Announces National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy

The Biden-Harris Administration released the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy that 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).

The strategy will guide the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (ZE-MHDV) ^charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure from 2024 to 2040. The strategy is designed to meet growing market demands by targeting 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.

“For over a century, petroleum-fueled freight has transported vital food and resources to American families but at the same time, these vehicles have also contributed to lower public health, especially in densely populated communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in a statement. “The Biden-Harris Administration is addressing this issue head-on with innovative strategies to transform freight so it not only supports American families and businesses, but also protects the environment for future generations.”

Providing convenient access to electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen refueling along freight corridors and at intermodal freight facilities and high-usage ports is key to achieving U.S. goals to promote at least 30% ZE-MHDV sales by 2030 and 100% sales by 2040. The goal of the strategy is to align public policy and investments by prioritizing, sequencing, and accelerating infrastructure along the National Highway Freight Network (NHFN) in four phases.

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 a pathway that mobilizes actions to achieve decarbonization.

The National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy will prioritize, sequence, and accelerate infrastructure along key freight corridors and hubs in four phases. The phases include:

• 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) and
• Achieve national network by linking regional corridors for ubiquitous access (2035-2040).

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