Daimler Truck North America CEO John O’Leary addressed the slow pace of industry adoption of battery-electric trucks due to a lack of charging infrastructure during a panel discussion at the ACT Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. O’Leary expressed concerns about the limited progress made in expanding charging capabilities for electric trucks over the past year.
While battery-electric trucks have made their way onto the market and are being gradually integrated into fleets by early adopters, the absence of a comprehensive plan to meet the power and charging demands of these vehicles is hindering widespread adoption. O’Leary emphasized the need for a coordinated approach involving stakeholders such as utility providers, municipalities, and government regulators to address the infrastructure challenges.
In addition to battery-electric trucks, DTNA is exploring several other technology pathways as the industry transitions towards low- and zero-emission vehicles. O’Leary highlighted diesel, battery-electric, hydrogen combustion, and hydrogen fuel cell as the primary options for the future. The company plans to continue offering diesel engines through 2039, contingent on regulatory developments.
For longer distances and vocational operations, DTNA sees hydrogen as a promising solution to meet the power needs of heavy-duty trucks. O’Leary mentioned that hydrogen combustion would be the initial focus, transitioning to hydrogen fuel cell electric technology in the coming years. As the industry strives for greater efficiency and reduced total cost of ownership, the adoption of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric technologies is expected to increase over time.
Amidst the evolving powertrain landscape, fleet operators will need to carefully evaluate and select the most suitable equipment for their businesses. O’Leary stressed the importance of providing high-quality products to meet the changing needs of the industry while upholding top priorities such as total cost of ownership, vehicle uptime, and service capabilities.
The future of the commercial truck market is expected to witness a shift towards cleaner and more efficient technologies, with battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles playing a significant role. As industry stakeholders continue to collaborate and innovate, the adoption of zero-emission vehicles is poised to accelerate, driving towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation sector.
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/dtna-oleary-ev is a link to an article about DTNA’s plan to introduce an electric truck into their fleet.