The University of Michigan study indicates that the combination of automation and electrification can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The University of Michigan has published a new study, which concludes that the automation and electrification of long-haul road transport could reduce urban health and environmental damage. Released on April 22, the study finds that air pollution and greenhouse gas damage could be reduced by 13% on routes under 300 miles due to electrification, equivalent to $587 million annually. On routes over 300 miles, electrifying urban segments, facilitated by highway driving automation, could reduce damage by 35%, equivalent to $220 million annually.
Parth Vaishnav, lead author of the study and associate professor at the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, states that this study is the first to analyze a realistic model of automation and electrification to assess their environmental benefits.
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.
Conclusions and limitations
The University of Michigan study indicates that the combination of automation and electrification can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel automation. These benefits outweigh the damage caused by short-lived pollutant emissions, especially in Texas, Florida, and California, where the Port of Los Angeles generates a significant amount of truck traffic. Given California’s Clean Truck Program and its mandate for all heavy trucks operating in the state to be zero-emission by 2042, the benefits would be greater in this state.
Fully electrifying routes under 300 miles offers much greater benefits than electrifying urban segments of shorter routes since these routes represent the majority of freight transport in the United States. Additionally, adjusting the size of a truck’s battery to its mission has limited environmental and health benefits, especially on routes under 300 miles, which are responsible for most of the damage.
U.S. fuel prices continue gradual decline as election results approach
The EIA has reported that gasoline and diesel prices continue a gradual downward trend. The United States is preparing for the presidential elections, and as
The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree begins its journey
From Alaska to Washington, D.C., the 2024 Christmas Tree kicks off its highly anticipated annual tour. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has begun its traditional
Shell Starship 3.0: the most efficient truck?
The Starship 3.0 is a Class 8 truck that demonstrates that maximum efficiency doesn’t always require reinventing the wheel, but rather adapting existing technology. Shell
The future of transportation in the U.S.: Trump vs. Harris
The presidential election will have a significant impact on the policies and regulations that will shape the sector. As November begins, the pressure of the
Spooktacular trucks: Halloween spirit takes to the roads
Truckers take part in Halloween traditions by decorating their vehicles in spooky ways. Halloween is filled with traditions that bring people together, such as picking
The spookiest roads in the U.S.
These routes are the setting for ghosts, spirits, otherworldly creatures, and more. Dare to drive them? The roads of the United States hide more than