The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and Powering America’s Commercial Transportation (PACT) have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help advance their shared goal of deploying and scaling affordable electric infrastructure that supports heavy-duty electric trucks.
“Through collaboration, we’re confident that our two industries can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the commercial sector and prepare the energy grid to meet the needs of tomorrow’s transportation network,” said Phil Dion, EEI’s senior vice president of customer solutions.
Partnerships like this are critical to hasten the widespread adoption and operation of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), according to PACT, a coalition focused on education and advocacy for accelerating the deployment of nationwide infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), and EEI, the association representing all U.S. investor-owned electric companies.
“Medium- and heavy-duty truck fleets represent an entirely new customer segment for America’s electric companies,” Dion said, “and we are proud to join forces with PACT to ensure their seamless integration with the energy grid in a cost-effective and reasonable manner.”
Through the MOU, the two organizations said Thursday they will prioritize cross-sector initiatives in support of the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy , which prioritizes investments, planning, and deployment for MHDV fueling infrastructure to advance zero-emission freight along the nation’s corridors.
EEI and PACT also will work jointly to advance grid readiness across different regions to help truck manufacturers and fleet operators comply with federal and state ZEV regulations and goals, according to the MOU.
Additionally, they will develop and share best practices for estimating where and when electric MHDV charging load will materialize; electric company processes to support timely energization; and state and local government policies to reduce costs and timelines associated with deploying charging infrastructure.
“PACT’s partnership with the Edison Electric Institute is an important and much-needed step toward unlocking the benefits of a commercial zero-emission vehicle future,” said Aravind Kailas, advanced technology policy director at Volvo Group North America and a PACT founding member.
“Close collaboration among medium- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, truck fleets, charging infrastructure developers, and electric companies is vital for an affordable energy transition in trucking,” Kailas added.
In addition to working with EEI, PACT said it also has joined organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to advance policies to help expedite an affordable buildout of the electric grid in several states.
“This is one issue on which NRDC, electric utilities, vehicle manufacturers, and charging developers can agree,” Max Baumhefner, director of EV infrastructure at the NRDC, said. “We’re glad they’ve joined together to build the infrastructure needed to meet our clean air goals. It’s the job at hand.”
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