Truck Electrification

The report examines the application of hybrid-electric, battery-electric, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid technologies in the US trucking sector. It highlights specific use cases, such as urban delivery, port drayage, and auxiliary power units, noting that while medium- and heavy-duty trucks make up only 4% of road vehicles, they account for approximately 20% of transportation fuel consumption. The document argues that expanding electrification is a key strategy for doubling truck fuel efficiency and halving projected US oil consumption over 20 years.

• Medium- and heavy-duty trucks represent a small fraction of total vehicles but a disproportionate share of fuel use, accounting for about 20 percent of transportation fuel consumption despite being only 4 percent of vehicles on the road.
• Hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) technology is the most mature electric-drive option for trucks, with the National Academy of Sciences finding that fuel-consumption reductions of 20 to 35 percent are possible depending on the application.
• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are particularly suited for urban delivery trucks with short, defined routes and for yard hostlers. For yard hostlers, the Port of Los Angeles estimates fueling costs at $0.20 per mile for BEVs compared to $0.80 to $1.80 per mile for diesel counterparts.
• Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) can offer a range of up to 400 miles and are being evaluated for drayage operations, with an estimated annual saving of 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel per truck.
• Electrification of auxiliary systems can significantly reduce fuel waste; for instance, the EPA estimates that idling for cab heating or cooling can consume up to 1,400 gallons of diesel per truck annually.
• External electric power systems, such as catenary systems (overhead lines) and in-road electric supply, are being considered or demonstrated to eliminate range limitations and tailpipe emissions on heavily traveled routes and port operations.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2012). Truck Electrification. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Truck-Electrification-Cutting-Oil-Consumption-and-Reducing-Pollution.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Truck Electrification. 2012. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Truck-Electrification-Cutting-Oil-Consumption-and-Reducing-Pollution.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Truck Electrification |date=October 2012 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Truck-Electrification-Cutting-Oil-Consumption-and-Reducing-Pollution.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2012truck, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Truck Electrification}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2012}, month = oct, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Truck-Electrification-Cutting-Oil-Consumption-and-Reducing-Pollution.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }