With the current US administration under President Trump waging war on EV mandates, a nationwide rollout of e-trucks seems unlikely. But the road transport sector is still looking to cut emissions through initiatives that don’t compromise.
The second Trump administration has been battling the advancement of electric vehicles of all sizes across the US. EV incentives for manufacturers and consumers have been cut, and the administration has entered a legal battle against California to challenge its EV mandates.
Industry reluctant to electrify on its own
Most major truck makers have joined Trump, hoping to escape heavy investments in electrification that have a high chance of losing them money, given the marginal market for zero-emission trucks up until now.
General Motors has also scrapped its plans to build a hydrogen fuel cell factory in Detroit, which was to be funded by the US Department of Energy. Although GM and Honda’s joint-venture Fuel Cell System Manufacturing plant in Michigan is still operational, the manufacturer also builds hydrogen installations for construction, maritime, and data centers.
Batteries for smaller tasks
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t low-hanging fruit to pick to reduce emissions while keeping traditional diesel trucks on the road. A new whitepaper by truck maker Paccar (parent company of Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF, among others) and battery specialist Dragonfly Energy aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of lithium batteries in reducing diesel truck idling.
Long-distance truckers often use sleeper cabs, with a small bedroom area behind the driver’s compartment where they can sleep during mandatory rest periods. Usually, these drivers let the diesel engine idle or use an external diesel auxiliary power unit (APU) to power the onboard electronics, causing harmful emissions and higher fuel costs.
Reduce emissions without compromise
The white paper from Paccar and Dragonfly Energy demonstrates the effectiveness of using a high-power lithium-ion battery to power the truck’s AC, refrigerators, or heaters in the cab. The paper shows that the batteries can last up to ten hours without needing to restart the engine.
This would not only save money and reduce emissions, but also reduce maintenance costs and wear, thereby increasing the lifespan of these trucks. Additionally, the driver can enjoy a quieter environment during rest periods, without the drone of a diesel engine. And after the rest time, the battery can recharge while driving.
It seems that, with EV mandates now off the table, US battery manufacturers have to pivot to new strategies to keep the business afloat. An initiative like this could not only boost Dragonfly’s sales but also slowly convince truck drivers of the benefits of electrification.
