Investing in Wide Adoption

The challenge of commercializing zero-emission trucking isn’t just about the trucks; it’s about building a supportive supply chain and infrastructure for wide-scale adoption. Through our demonstration projects, we’ll evaluate the current state of the zero-emission trucking supply chain, identify scaling challenges, and explore new opportunities for industry operators and society.

While capabilities exist for building zero and low-emission trucks and providing the necessary infrastructure, significant engineering, technology, and regulatory hurdles remain. High throughput, low-cost production of trucks, charging stations, hydrogen production facilities, and more will need investment from suppliers and new market entrants.

Once technologies are ready, deploying zero-emission trucks will offer industry advantages. Scalable production at competitive prices will create global demand for this technology ecosystem, presenting significant business opportunities for suppliers, contractors, and service providers. This transition will also require a skilled workforce, including operators, mechanics, instructors, and technicians, as well as EPCs to build essential infrastructure.

To ensure scalable zero-emission trucking, BC needs suppliers to build capacity now. This requires partnerships between industry and government, clear direction sharing, and risk-sharing mechanisms. The challenge is knowing where and when to invest, as raising capital for capacity building is tough before technologies and systems are proven.

For the Long Haul’s demonstration projects will model the activities needed to create a low-emission trucking industry. Data collected will provide insights into supply and demand chains, guiding future needs. By funding and executing these projects, we share financing risks, enabling suppliers to invest in new capacity. Projects will deliver assets, fueling infrastructure, skilled employees, training curricula, and hydrogen-compliant shop bays. We’ll create networks to improve information exchange among stakeholders and evaluate workforce skills needed to maintain zero-emission trucks.

Information gathered will bring certainty to the supply chain, inspiring confidence in job creation, longer-term investments, education, and regulation standards.