C11FT
Freight Transport and Warehouse Management
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Executive Summary
Every year, the transportation and conveyance of cargo and goods contribute to almost a quarter of the transportation emissions in the United States. This paper explores electric freight trucks as potential because it highlights their applicability and probable efficiency across the extended transport networks in North America. Electrical moving platforms introduce several contributed benefits; for example, no exhaust emission hence minimizing airborne pollutants, which are detrimental to public health. Thus, the transition to electric vehicles when consumer preferences focus on sustainable practices and legal requirements strengthen.
The paper examines the prospects of electric freight trucks, considers potential issues, that may be faced by the company that is going to implement this technology, and also reveals the strategies, that may help to minimize these problems, emphasizing the necessity of being sustainable in the sphere of logistics and SCM.
List of Figures
figure 1- Freight transport. |
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figure 2- Pollution by Freight transport |
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figure 3- Electric Freight Trucks |
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figure 4- energy consumption |
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figure 5-comparison between diesel and electric vehicles |
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Introduction
Freight transport is an important subsector of the global transport system whose main function is to transport goods from one place to another. But at the same time, it remains one of the most dangerous sources of the greenhouse effect and air pollution. Present statistical data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals that freight transportation makes up about 24% of the total transport emissions in the United States (Jiang et al., 2022). This fact shows that it is high time to look for original approaches for making freight transport sustainable without harming its effectiveness and dependability.
Of a wider range of technological developments as well as political strategies targeting lowering emissions in this sector, it is possible to pinpoint that the use of electric freight trucks is one of the most effective ones. Electric trucks are a viable solution to normal diesel vehicles mainly because electric trucks have no exhaust emissions and half as many emissions as traditional freight shipping methods (Inkinen and Hämäläinen, 2020). But as awareness of climate change increases and release standards rise, which they will, changing the face of freight trucks to electric is not just possible, but necessary.
This paper aims to look at the possibilities of electric freight trucks in the North American planning industry. It will cover gains that are bound to be realized from this technology, the limitations that are likely to be experienced by companies that adopt this technology, and suggestions on how these limitations might be dealt with.
Figure 1- Freight transport.
Source: (revolutionizing trucking, 2020)
figure 2- Pollution by Freight transport
source: (ET Auto, 2019)
Main body
Context of Analysis
Geographic Focus: North America
The North American freight transport industry consists of advanced transport networks comprising highways, railroads, and ports. This can support intercity and long-haul trucking which is crucial to the supply chain services (Makarova et al., 2020). The planning industry in North America is especially important because of the vast size of the area and because trucks are the primary means of transporting goods across state and state and into challenging states.
Unfortunately, the current use of diesel trucks is a major factor in emissions and air quality problems, particularly in populated regions where such truck zones agree with populated regions. In this context, the use of sustainable transport must be driven by environmental protection laws changing and the global public becoming more aware of climate change issues.
Sector/Industry Focus: Logistics and Supply Chain
The planning and supply chain profession involves a broad field that deals with the flow of goods from manufacturers or producers and consumers. This is an industry that plays in a network of warehousing, distribution, and delivery at the consumer end (Tiwari, 2021). The unprecedented growth in the use of delivery services by consumers has in the recent past put pressure on planning companies to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Moreover, the increased need to meet emission standards and the rising demand for green practices by consumers have led to the development of the following regulatory requirements.
Reasons for Selecting Electric Freight Trucks
Environmental Benefits
Electric freight trucks are free from emissions per se and this leads to a decrease in airborne irritants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These pollutants affect the health of the population and cause respiratory diseases, therefore the switch to electric trucks is a great supply of public health. In addition, when electric trucks are recharged by solar or wind energy, they produce significantly lower emissions than their diesel equivalents (Adamkiewicz et al., 2020).
For many market players quick delivery is a top priority and due to the influence of e-commerce delivery networks new pressure is being put on planning to become more environmentally friendly. Currently, the transport of freight is conducted using diesel engines on heavy-duty trucks which have led to emissions and poor quality of air in the regions where freight corridors cross residential areas. Accepting in mind that the existing environmental standards are becoming more rigid and people becoming more conscious of environmental changes, it remains crucial for the development of sustainable transport technologies.
Policy Support
The government interventions facilitate shifting to electric freight trucks. Several national and state inducements such as tax reasons and grants as well as pending and existing emissions reduction standards aim at encouraging electric car usage. For example, the state government has recently launched the Clean Trucks Plan which can improve the emissions of the transportation sector due to using electric vehicles (Muratori et al., 2021).
Municipal authorities are also alive to the effect and have included statutes that promote or mandate the use of electric trucks in city centers. The improvement of air quality is becoming urgent these days, and due to this, many cities have implemented Emission Zones, which allow only electric cars with extremely low emissions. They do more than promote the usage of electric trucks, they also shed light on how air quality would be affected in densely populated regions.
Sustainability Goals
Corporations have long-term environmental targets with more companies announcing that they will get to net zero by 2050. Electric freight trucks are also part of these strategies because they help firms improve their CSR initiatives. By ordering electric trucks, companies will be able to make consumers accept their brand as one of the most environmentally friendly ones (Carey, 2023).
In addition, the use of electric trucks in addressing planning addresses the shift that has been made to the circular economy as a means of operation. Today the world is trying to cut down on its effects on the environment as much as possible, electric freight trucks will be encouraged by companies.
figure 3- Electric Freight Trucks
source: (Forbes, 2019)
Barriers to Adoption
High Initial Costs
Although electric freight trucks have far-reaching benefits when it comes to cost since the long-run cost of owning a truck is cheaper than Diesel trucks the major problem is the high cost of purchasing electric freight trucks. The affordability of electric trucks is one of the main challenges, the initial cost of these trucks is high as compared to diesel trucks which acts as a barrier to its adoption by planning companies and those operating under tight profit limits (Al-Hanahi et al., 2021). This becomes a clear divide between large and small organizations, in that many smaller organizations do not have the capital to invest in electric fleets.
figure 4- energy consumption
source: (research gate, 2019)
We need to therefore increase subsidies, tax credits, and low-interest loans as the main support mechanisms to reduce this barrier. The government stands to help shape the fortunes of electrified trucks through the adoption of policies aimed at making these vehicles more affordable to the many players in the market.
Charging Infrastructure
The deployment of charging infrastructure is an important factor in the utility of electric freight trucks. At present, charging infrastructure for EVs in North America is inadequate to catalyze the mass switch to electric freight movement. They have therefore deployed long-haul routes that call for access to charging points along prime planning corridors.
Another important requirement for the practical use of electric trucks is the further development of the charging setup. Cooperation between the government and business units can bring the deployment of charging stations faster and guarantee that these stations will be installed in areas with serious transport activity (Ouyang and Xu, 2022). Creating partnerships between governments and industry members runs the vision of establishing a set of charging infrastructures that would suit the firms in the planning industry.
Range Anxiety
While the range of electric trucks has increased in recent years due to developments in battery technology, there is still worry as to the suppliers and drivers of planning services (Fenton and Kailas, 2021). That is why, planning operators need vehicles that can perform long distances without being recharged very often. Such anxiety can lead to the non-adoption of electric trucks, especially by companies that are on tight schedules.
An example of how this could be managed is through the other establishment of battery-swapping technologies or the gain of facilities whose locations are appropriate for setting fast charging zones (Azeem et al., 2023). When applied in combination with practical recharging possibilities, such as in the workshop, this decreases effective downtime and, in that way, supports the viability of electric freight trucks as a means of conducting long-distance planning.
Technological Uncertainty
Due to the fast frequency of innovation in particular technologies, the situation regarding the conversion of electric freight trucks may be uncertain for planning companies willing to invest in them. Firms may avoid adopting new technologies if they expect newer innovations shortly to displace their investments.
To reduce this uncertainty, manufacturing companies and policymakers should think about how to promote the use of standard technologies, which will be similar to other technologies in the future. Industry players, research concerns, and government departments can launch joint research projects through which best practices and advances can be spread resulting in the electrification of freight trucks (Luo and Van Assche, 2023).
Other Relevant Issues
Workforce Training
The authors expect that whenever switching to electric vehicles in the freight transport sector, there will be a lot of pressure on educating drivers and the maintenance team to manage electric trucks (Muratori et al., 2021). Change management is a key issue for the freight transport sector, especially the transition towards electric-powered vehicles and technologies.
Hence, there is a need for huge funding for educational and training courses as a way of enhancing the real incorporation of electric trucks into planning operations. Industry members, educational providers, and governmental organizations can effectively support the change that relates to the electric power of freight vehicles.
Environmental Justice
The use of electric freight trucks should consider the concept of environmental justice. Most of the freights pass through poor regions which are most affected by pollution caused by diesel trucks (Akujor et al., 2022). People living in neighborhoods close to the highways or close to the freight rail lines are more likely to suffer from respiratory disorders or even cardiac diseases.
Reduction of ghastly emissions in these sensitive communities is easily achievable when shifts from using traditional gasoline trucks to electric trucks. However, such a transition must be done afresh and in the fairest manner possible as can be seen in the example below. There should be measures taken that ensure that investment in electric freight technology is also addressing these communities through for instance the strategic concentration of electric freight trucks where pollution impacts most of these communities (Sahu et al., 2022).
However, this should encompass public participation and involvement in deciding planning for electric freight infrastructure since the affected population will be considered. This involves the development of employment in electric automobile management and the charging stations in these communities while eradicating poll disparities that persist during technological adjustments (Chakraborty et al., 2022).
Range Expansion Technologies
For this reason, range expansion technologies should be invested in to reduce range anxiety. This can include:
Battery Swapping Technologies: The creation of battery swap stations can help drivers have an opportunity to switch a discharged battery to a charged one in a brief time thus excluding long stops and enhancing the productivity of an automobile.
Innovative Charging Solutions: Promoting the development of the original charging solutions, including mobile charging units, or on-route charging stops, will increase the range of electricity and help them to achieve their inter-urban tasks without sharp time losses.
As our society evolves, we need educational and training programs for all the new jobs that are being created in South Africa.
Recommendations include:
Training Initiatives: As planning companies, educational institutions, and governmental agencies partner, an end can be put to the training of the driver and maintenance personnel for electric trucks (Mahdavian et al., 2021).
Certification Programs: Creating standard certification courses for individuals working on electric vehicles such as electric trucks can help in the provision of experts required to conduct repairs on the electric vehicle, thus minimizing shocks of transformers on electric trucks.
Collaborative Research
Promoting working together research between manufacturers of electric freight trucks, planning companies, and governmental agencies helps to bring together and popularize the knowledge about the methodologies of increasing the use of such trucks.
Recommendations include:
Public Research Grants: governments can provide research grants for projects related to electric vehicles to spur innovations in battery technologies, charging solutions, and methods of designing the vehicles (Sovacool et al., 2019).
Industry Partnerships: manufacturers and a supply chain firm can enable the creation of electric truck models that address unique needs found in the freight sector. These partnerships can also help to provide the best solutions and try to avoid common problems.
figure 5-comparison between diesel and electric vehicles
source: (Canary Media, 2022)
Conclusion
Electric freight trucks are one of the most promising scenarios for decreasing the share of the transportation industry’s negative influence on the environment in North America. The promises of such systems include having significantly less impact on the environment in terms of releases or at least offering some large cut on greenhouse gas emissions, and more on using less energy in operation, making such a system beneficial to any organization desiring to increase sustainability in their production.
But to achieve this several Addison must down barriers that exist in this power capacity. Some of the current barriers to freight transportation companies transitioning to electric trucks include high fixed costs, short refueling facilities for electric trailers, range limitations for electric trucks, and training personnel for regulatory compliance.
By adopting electric freight technology, it is possible to show that planning is a forward-focused industry focused on sustainability goals as well as reducing costs while at the same time helping the community health-wise. Switching to electricity as the mode of power for freight transport is not unique to environmental skill; it is also a market innovation since it creates job openings in a shifting market.
Since parties within the public and private areas enter social contracts, partnerships, or agreements in addressing barriers to electric freight trucks, better sustainable and efficient transportation systems may be realized. It creates a vision that not only checks the health of the nation’s environment but also its citizens, and the quality of air, which in turn is a stronger economy for generations to come.
Recommendations
Public-Private Partnerships: Governments should collaborate with private companies to develop a robust network of charging stations along major freight corridors (Tupmongkol, 2020). This collaboration can help share the financial burden and expedite the installation of necessary infrastructure.
Fast-Charging Stations: Placement of stations, which can be fast charging points, at appropriate locations reduces the time of charging the battery and hence reduces the problem that is attributed to range anxiety for planning companies. Such stations must be able to charge electric trucks within a short duration to enable the trucks to be usable in undertaking long-distance transport (Liu et al., 2022).
Urban Charging Solutions: Other improvement strategies should also include local authorities and organizations directing efforts and resources to develop charging solutions within cities and more particularly where important levels of freight traffic occur to enable electric trucks to operate in regions with high population density.
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