US DOE, DOT release Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy

13 March 2024

The US Joint Office of Energy and Transportation released the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy, a document developed in collaboration with the US Department of Energy (DOE), US Department of Transportation (DOT), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The strategy will coordinate and increase investments in zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (ZE-MHDV) fueling infrastructure—including electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure—to achieve a zero-emission freight network by 2040, in support of the US government goals of at least 30% ZE-MHDV sales by 2030 and 100% sales by 2040.

The strategy aims to align public policy and investments by prioritizing infrastructure deployment along the National Highway Freight Network and complementary roadways. The strategy intends to accelerate the adoption of ZE-MHDVs by initially focusing on key freight hubs with a 100-mile radius in Phase 1, moving toward building out a complete zero-emission freight (ZEF) network in Phase 4.

In alignment with the strategy, the Federal Highway Administration has announced the designation of National EV Freight Corridors along the National Highway Freight Network and other key roadways.

The scope of the strategy is limited to the charging and fueling infrastructure along highways. The document does not address the development of new generation and electrical grid capacity—a key barrier to the adoption of electric transportation—or the hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure.

The Earthjustice environmental law NGO praised the strategy, but urged caution on hydrogen inclusion. “Electrifying cars, trucks, and buses is a better approach to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants than deploying hydrogen,” said Earthjustice in a statement.

Source: US Joint Office of Energy and Transportation