The Biden administration is planning to spend $1.5 billion to electrify the freight industry.
“[W]hile industry has made progress on reducing emissions from this sector, freight movement continues to represent a significant share of local air pollution, increasing the risk of asthma, heart disease, hospitalization, and other adverse health outcomes for the millions of Americans, especially overburdened communities, who live and work near highways, ports, railyards, warehouses, and other freight routes,” an April 24 statement reads.
The statement noted that the plan is a “first-ever national goal to transition to a zero-emissions freight sector for truck, rail, aviation and marine, along with a commitment to develop a national zero-emissions freight strategy.”
Three agencies are backing the goal and are providing funding programs for the endeavor.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a nearly $1 billion funding opportunity to “support infrastructure to charge, fuel and maintain heavy-duty zero emission vehicles along with workforce development and training to get this work done.”
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is using a $400 million initiative to “improve air quality and reduce pollution for truck drivers, port workers, and families that live in communities surrounding ports.”
The Department of Energy (DOE) launched a $72 million investment to develop a “SuperTruck: Charged” program.
President Joe Biden said in a statement at the time of the announcement, “Today, I’m announcing a first-ever national goal to transition to a zero-emissions freight sector.”
“This is about protecting the health of families who live and work near highways, ports, railyards, and other routes today – and building a better freight system for tomorrow.”
