Environment and freight transport: results of electrification and automation

How automation and electrification can reduce the health and environmental impact of road transport

Vaishnav discusses how electrification and automation of road transport are advancing separately in some parts of the US. He notes that despite the challenges of electrifying very long routes, it’s feasible to build electric trucks that can travel up to 300 miles. On the other hand, automation is more viable on interstate highways than in urban areas.

To address these limitations, the study proposes combining the best of both worlds: electrifying all routes under 300 miles and, for longer routes, electrifying the segments that pass through cities while retaining human drivers. This strategy would contribute to reducing air pollution in urban areas, with significant benefits for the environment and health. According to the study, each year, around $500 million in health and environmental damage would be avoided.

Vaishnav emphasizes the need for batteries as small as possible to minimize weight and energy consumption while ensuring sufficient capacity to cover routes of different lengths and types. He suggests the necessity of building charging stations and strengthening the electrical grid. Examples include dividing long-distance routes into interstate and urban segments, where trucks could switch trailers from electric to diesel before entering or leaving the interstate.