With ambitious goals in place to tackle emissions and drive the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), fleet operators in California face the daunting yet promising task of overhauling how they operate. The shift isn’t just about buying new electric vehicles; it's about rethinking permanent and shared infrastructure for electric fueling. This blog is based on a December 2024 webinar hosted by The Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition, with panelists from Oakland’s Public Works Department, RenewableProperties, and Kittleson and Associates.
In recent years, California has implemented a suite of regulations that create a clear trajectory toward zero-emission fleets. Tim Taylor from the Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition highlighted the urgency and necessity for fleet operators to adapt. Notable regulations, such as the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, mandate that truck manufacturers sell an increasing percentage of ZEVs each year. Meanwhile, the Advanced Clean Fleets rule compels larger fleets to purchase zero-emission vehicles.
Chris White, a Senior Principal Planner with Kittleson and Associates, explained that these regulations are not isolated but part of a broader legislative ecosystem. Federal standards, local sustainability targets, and even international practices are converging to create a robust framework driving electrification. For fleet operators, it's not just regulatory compliance that matters; the opportunity to significantly reduce carbon footprints and participate in a cleaner future is equally compelling.
Perhaps the most significant hurdle for fleet operators is establishing the necessary infrastructure to support an electric fleet. Richard Battersby from Oakland’s Public Works Department and a representative of East Bay Clean Cities pointed out that current fleet yards are often likened to a "Tetris game," packed to capacity and struggling to accommodate additional infrastructure.
To effectively electrify, infrastructure development needs to be proactive and strategic. It involves understanding vehicle duty cycles, assessing energy needs and potentially redesigning an entire depot to support electrical fueling. Chris White highlighted several aspects involved in understanding the duty cycle of a work vehicle from both daily miles driven and payload, to use of accessory equipment, heating and cooling and passenger counts. She further explained that CARB knows that for some duty cycles and purposes, there is not a zero-emission vehicle available yet.
Richard Battersby discussed the importance of partnerships with utility providers like PG&E to upgrade electrical supply—a process that can take several years. Moreover, the collaboration with local municipalities and exploring shared charging hubs can help manage costs and streamline the transition.
The conversation around charging infrastructure is not solely about location and logistics; it’s also about innovation. Aaron Halimi, CEO of Renewable Properties, detailed their business model of developing commercial charging hubs, structured to serve a variety of fleet needs for both public and private entities. The flexibility in their design allows them to cater to both level 2 and level 3 charging requirements, accommodating different operational scenarios. Renewable Properties is developing charging hubs on 2-4 acre parcels with 2-4MWs of electrical capacity for overnight and daytime fleet charging. The first four sites are located in Vacaville, Richmond, Santa Maria, and Bakersfield, with several others in the pipeline.
Funding the transition to an electric fleet is one of the most significant concerns for operators. Richard Battersby highlighted the importance of a multi-layered financing strategy, combining grants, vouchers, and incentives to make the transition feasible. Programs like HVIP, despite being oversubscribed, remain critical to offsetting costs for new zero-emission fleet acquisitions.
Richard Battersby cited that the (off-site) charging depot was really coming into vogue in 2023, and certainly now 2024 is the year of the shared charging hub. It was the challenge of needing to electrify a fleet but having to wait a considerable amount of time for power and other site accommodations that led the City of Oakland to look closely at alternatives.
For many fleet operators, the idea of building and maintaining their own charging stations can be overwhelming. This is where third-party solutions, such as those offered by Renewable Properties, come into play. Aaron Halimi emphasized how third-party charging depots alleviate the pressure of infrastructure investment for fleet operators.
These hubs offer flexibility and cost-efficiency, providing operators with subscribed access to charging without the initial capital outlay. It’s a pay-as-you-use model that converts a substantial capital expense into an operational one, making it more manageable for fleets to incorporate charging solutions into their business model.
Richard Battersby elaborated on Oakland's varied approach, which includes continuing to build out its own charging infrastructure where feasible, leveraging partnerships and sharing resources, and always being open to considering alternative and innovative solutions.
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