In It for the Long Haul: These Clean Energy Trucks are Driving Toward Zero Emissions

The Green Transportation Summit and Expo took place in Tacoma, Washington, showcasing electric trucks and other alternative energy vehicles. The event featured a ride-and-drive event, allowing attendees to experience various vehicles, including trucks, excavators, and street sweepers, in action. Greater Indiana member, AAA participated with its Emergency Vehicle Mobile Charging Unit.

Transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the state, prompting regulations requiring truck manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of new zero-emission alternatives to diesel from 2025. The event featured a ride-and-drive event where attendees could experience various vehicles. The development of charging infrastructure along highways is highlighted as a challenge to zero-emission truck adoption, but municipalities with set routes can act as testbeds for such vehicles by providing dedicated charging spots for their fleets.

‘”It’s one thing to be snuck up on by a Tesla at the grocery store, but it’s still rather surprising to have a large Kenworth or Freightliner or Volvo truck move past whisper quiet. It made it easy to hear the event’s director, Brian Trice, express his enthusiasm for what’s here and what’s coming in sustainable transportation. “The fact that we’re here now and you can actually witness these vehicles, that’s a big deal,” Trice said. “Five years ago, these things were just kind of test models.”‘

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