A recent study from the University of Michigan reveals that implementing automation and electrification in long-haul trucking can lead to significant reductions in urban health impacts and environmental harm.
According to the study, electrifying long-haul routes shorter than 300 miles could cut air pollution and greenhouse gas damages by 13%, amounting to savings of $587 million annually. Additionally, for routes exceeding 300 miles, electrifying urban segments through hub-based automation of highway driving could result in a 35% reduction in damages, translating to savings of $220 million annually.
Realistic approach
“It’s the first study we know of that simultaneously studies a realistic model of automation and a realistic model of electrification—things that are feasible in the near term—and assesses their environmental benefits,” the researchers explain.
In various parts of the country, both automation and electrification in trucking are unfolding, but they’re largely separate endeavors. Electrifying very long routes presents challenges; diesel trucks can travel up to 900 miles on a single tank, a feat impractical for today’s electric trucks due to the weight of batteries. However, electric trucks capable of covering distances up to 300 miles are feasible. Automation, particularly on interstates, is viable, yet, automating within cities poses significant hurdles.
To explore a synergistic approach, the researchers investigated combining the strengths of both technologies: electrifying routes under 300 miles entirely and, for longer routes, electrifying urban segments while retaining human drivers for the rest. This strategy offers a crucial advantage: it targets tailpipe pollution where it poses the greatest risk—urban areas with high population density.
Health and environmental gains
Electrifying routes shorter than 300 miles could prevent approximately half a billion dollars’ worth of health and environmental damage annually. While longer routes contribute a smaller share of freight ton miles, electrifying urban segments on these routes could still slash health and environmental harm by over a third, equating to $200 million per year. These estimates hold true even with today’s grid, which leans heavily on fossil fuels. As we transition to cleaner energy sources, the benefits will amplify.
Using battery electric trucks on short routes poses a challenge due to the trade-off between flexibility and efficiency. Ideally, you’d aim for the smallest battery capable of covering all intended routes to avoid hauling unnecessary weight.
However, you also need the truck to be adaptable, and capable of serving routes of various lengths throughout its lifespan. Achieving this balance means having a battery large enough to handle any potential route while minimizing excess weight to conserve energy.
Interestingly, the efficiency penalty associated with this trade-off is relatively low, approximately 3%. This is encouraging news, as it suggests that trucks equipped with a few standard battery sizes can maintain efficiency without significant drawbacks.
