Zero-emission trucks only have a 30 percent decrease in CO2 emissions when compared to a standard diesel truck, according to a new study.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released a new report that analyzes the environmental impacts of zero-emission trucks (ZET).
The study found that while electric trucks have no direct tailpipe emissions, there would still be CO2 production associated with vehicle, battery and electricity production.
The report said the marginal environmental benefits of electric trucks are due, in large part, to lithium-ion battery production – which generates more than six times the carbon of diesel truck production.
“The U.S. trucking industry is strongly committed to carbon-reduction efforts, and electric motors and drive trains offer many additional performance and maintenance benefits,” said Hugh Ekberg, President and CEO of CRST.
“But ATRI’s research highlights that several of the leading zero-emission approaches being advocated today still need additional research to fully understand how the different technologies can be best developed and utilized to maximize carbon reduction.”
A copy of the full report is available through ATRI’s website.
