Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy made an exciting announcement for the hydrogen fuel industry. On February 15, the DOE announced plans to fund projects aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric and fuel cell-powered medium- and heavy-duty trucks
This announcement is a significant step towards achieving a cleaner transportation sector in the United States. With $7.4 million in funding earmarked for projects in 23 states, initial efforts will focus on electrification plans for essential and heavily trafficked domestic freight corridors serving California, the Southwest, Midwest, Eastern seaboard, and Northeast. The initiative is a positive move towards reducing emissions from freight corridors and the depots, ports, and other facilities those corridors service.
Of particular note is the administration of these projects by the DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office. Oversight by these offices reinforces the Biden administration’s decarbonization goals and aligns with the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which stipulates that 40% federal investments, including clean energy, benefit disadvantaged communities.
The largest grants, valued at $1.25 million each, are focused on planning efforts for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks on important freight corridors. One of the projects will develop a two-phase plan for both EV charging and hydrogen fueling for these trucks, with the goal to enable 30% of fleets to use EV and fuel cell technologies by 2035. This is an encouraging step towards achieving the President’s ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The allocations also aim to improve air quality in underserved areas around Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco, which is a critical step towards creating a cleaner and more equitable future for all. The projects’ focus on hydrogen fueling and heavy-duty freight truck networks will also help establish adaptable methodology for future hydrogen corridors throughout the country.
Overall, this funding will play an important role in accelerating the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty EV charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. As a leader in sustainable hydrogen solutions, we at OneH2 believe that this funding will help to drive the industry forward and create a more sustainable future for all.
Source: TT News – DOE Funds Plans for EV Charging, Hydrogen Fueling on Freight Corridors
