Padilla Praises Landmark National Strategy for Rapid Deployment of Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) March 12 applauded the Administration’s announcement of its national zero-emission freight corridor strategy to guide the national deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty freight transportation vehicle or ZE-MHDV charging and fueling infrastructure. Developed by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, the U.S. Department of Energy or DOE, the Department of Transportation or DOT, and the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA, the strategy will build on California’s leadership and industry progress to develop the infrastructure necessary to decarbonize the movement of freight and goods across the country. The strategy guides infrastructure deployment to meet growing market demands; boost strategic public and private investment; and support utility and regulatory planning and action at local, state, and regional levels.

Today’s announcement follows Padilla’s efforts to call on the Joint Office to prioritize the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty infrastructure as part of its core mission. Previously, the Joint Office almost exclusively focused on light-duty vehicles despite the fact that heavy-duty vehicles more significantly contribute to poor air quality in communities along roadways and near goods movement facilities. Padilla’s effort was supported by 14 other Senators and a broad range of stakeholders, including industry partners such as the Engine Manufacturers Association and CALSTART, as well as environmental organizations such as Evergreen Action and the League of Conservation Voters.

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

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

In addition, the Federal Highway Administration is announcing the designation of freight EV corridors along the national highway freight network and other key roadways. The designations, which are required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help guide federal, state, regional, and private-sector investment into the infrastructure needed for zero-emissions transportation of goods and supplies among key hubs such as ports, intermodal centers, and warehouses.   

This is an all-of-government approach to aligning investments and accelerating sustainable and scalable deployment of reliable ZE-MHDV infrastructure.

Details: A complete strategy and maps are available here.