As the federal government continues to explore policies around the use of low carbon fuels, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) reminds policy makers that readily available alternative fuel technology and infrastructure has not kept pace with the trucking industry\u2019s desire to reduce its carbon footprint further.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe trucking industry is not a monolithic entity,\u201d said CTA president Stephen Laskowski. \u201cAlthough low carbon technologies like natural gas and electric engines have less infrastructure and supply chain challenges for short haul trucking, government must also be aware that significant impediments for long-haul fleets using these technologies continues to persist.<\/p>\n
Laskowski said CTA is encouraged by recent developments in electric trucks \u2013 \u201cwe\u2019re perhaps starting to see a small handful of long-haul fleets kick the tires of heavy-duty electric vehicles\u201d \u2013\u00a0\u00a0but pointed out a modern long-haul truck can travel 1500 miles before needing to refuel. Electric trucks can only travel about 500 miles before needing to be recharged.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of these technological and operational challenges, the predominant fuel used for long-haul trucking will continue to be diesel \u2013 not necessarily by choice, but because of practical and operational realities,\u201d he said. \u201cWithout a battery swapping program or a dramatic reduction in recharging time, the electric truck will not work for long-haul drivers.<\/p>\n
He said drivers, who are limited by hours of service rules in the number of hours they can drive in a day or week, cannot afford to spend precious time finding locations to recharge or change batteries.<\/p>\n
The use of biodiesel has also been raised as a short-term, low carbon solution for the trucking sector. CTA\u2019s advised the federal government to look forward, not backward for environmental transportation solutions:<\/p>\n
\u201cBiodiesel is as outdated as the rotary phone and belongs on the shelf with other ideas past their due date. Biodiesel is impractical, costly and gives rise to several operational issues, with little, to no environmental benefits for our sector,\u201d says Laskowski. \u201cInstead, CTA looks forward to working with the federal government on exploring how natural gas and electric vehicles can grow in the trucking market and how impediments could be removed.<\/p>\n
To overcome some of the challenges associated with electric and natural gas vehicles, CTA reminds governments that incentive programs remain a valid option\u00a0 to attract early adopters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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