Approach towards developing a zero emission trucking corridor

Abstract

The externalities of the current transportation system are largely to blame for the state of the environment. The indirect effects caused by transportation's effects on land use and development patterns are among the egative externalities, as are those resulting from the energy required to move vehicles through space, the effects of the infrastructure required to facilitate movement, and the effects of the infrastructure itself. India moves almost 4.6 billion tonnes of freight each year, creating a 2.2 trillion tons-km of transportation demand at a cost of 9.5 lakh crore. India's commodities are mostly transported by road, which accounts for 70% of all domestic freight. The majority of that road transit is handled by HDTs and MDTs. This study is based to create a model for making of a zero-emission trucking corridor where-in Mumbai Pune Expressway is being considered as the case study area. The study focuses on studying the suitability of different types of freight travel for electrification and assess the charging demand and infrastructure requirements for different categories of electric trucks. Also, the paper would access the willingness of freight operators to switch to zero emission trucking. Thereby, accessing the potential for developing Mumbai-Pune Expressway as a ZET corridor based on an assessment of traffic, technology and stakeholder perceptions. The methodology adopted for the study begins with identifying front runner demand segments in the corridor freight and mapping the supply side (industrial hubs/ ports/ major commercials) on either side of the expressway. The next step is about accessing the traffic on corridor (traffic management, traffic volume, traffic type, vehicle speed), traffic going through the expressway and to and fro the expressway and to look into alternative revenue sources that could be generated through implications of electric trucks. Then to access grid impact (plugs, electricity supply, onsumption) thereby concluding which locations could be best for charging stations (dhabas/ resting stations/ warehouses/ loading unloading regions). And finally proposing alternative energy sources for emission reduction. The front runner demand segments in the freight would be mapped and of the study area. Information to be gathered from the site are the type and volume of commodities, pattern of goods movement, fleet type employment in terms of the vehicles and the fuel used, fleet vehicle utilization, capital expenditure on fleet procurement and its supporting infrastructure and the operational expenditure incurred which includes the fuel and maintenance charges. iv ZETs can result in long-term logistical cost reductions and enable India wean itself off oil import dependence, advancing the goal of a self-sufficient India. The study will help determine the type of charging infrastructure that needs to be deployed location- and capacity- wise and also the policy implementation and governance structure that can be adopted to making of a zero-emission trucking corridor. ZETs may eventually result in logistical cost savings. This model will further have potential to be replicated on other freight corridor for maximum electrification of trucks. The project shall bring out certain planning interventions that could be applied/ modified in the current scenario and accordingly short-term, mid-term, and long-term proposals and needs could be poised. It would further give an insight on what type of trucking fleet will be provided with infrastructure on priority basis according to the movement patterns of the freight. ZETs can result in long-term logistical cost reductions and enable India wean itself off oil import dependence, advancing the goal of a self-sufficient India. The study will help determine the type of charging infrastructure that needs to be deployed location- and capacity- wise. This model will further have potential to be replicated on other freight corridor for maximum electrification of trucks. The case study to understand the potential of electric trucks as ZET can lead to certain planning interventions that could be applied/ modified in the current scenario and accordingly short-term, mid-term, and long-term proposals and needs could be poised. It would further give an insight on what type of trucking fleet will be provided with infrastructure on priority basis according to the ovement patterns of the freight. The study can help determine the type of charging infrastructure that needs to be deployed location- and capacity- wise (fast, slow or moderate) and also the policy implementation and governance structure that can be adopted to making of a zeroemission trucking corridor.