Road to zero: Research and industry perspectives on zero-emission commercial vehicles
Matteo Muratori, Brennan Borlaug, Catherine Ledna, Paige Jadun, Aravind Kailas
Abstract
Medium-and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) comprise only a small fraction of vehicles on the road but disproportionately contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from the transportation sector. Given the large variety of vehicle types-ranging from heavy-duty pickup trucks and box trucks to full-size buses and Class 8 tractor semi-trailers-and applications, multiple technologies offer opportunities to decarbonize MHDVs including battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and sustainable liquid fuels. Here we provide an overview of the status, opportunities, challenges, and uncertainties for these competing-and potentially complementary-technologies, including consideration of supporting infrastructure and prospects for future success. We find a bright outlook for zero-emission vehicles and discuss remaining barriers and uncertainties around fleet decisions and changes to vehicle operation, infrastructure, manufacturing, and future fuel and technology trends that can be informed through analysis.