One of the key takeaways from this year's Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo is the urgent need for decarbonization in the trucking industry, particularly in California. As the state continues to grapple with air pollution and climate change, it has been developing the draft Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation as part of a broader strategy to deploy medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) everywhere feasible. Drayage fleets, which are responsible for transporting cargo containers within ports and railyards, are a crucial part of this effort and will be subject to significant regulatory changes starting in 2024.
According to the ACF draft regulation, all drayage trucks entering seaports and intermodal railyards in California would be required to be zero-emission by 2035. This means that beginning January 1, 2024, trucks must be registered in the CARB Online System to conduct drayage activities in the state. Non-zero-emission “legacy” drayage trucks may register in the CARB Online System through December 31, 2023, and can continue to operate through their minimum useful life. However, from January 1, 2024, only zero-emission drayage trucks may register in the CARB Online System
Synop, a charging and energy management software platform for commercial electric vehicle (EVs), has been working in drayage to help fleets manage the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Here are the top four ways Synop is helping facilitate drayage fleet and charging operators in this transition:
- Synop assists drayage fleet operators by optimizing charging schedules based on the cost of charging. This ensures that every penny counts for small drayage fleets, helping them maximize efficiency and minimize charging expenses.
- Synop enables drayage fleet operators to effectively report on emissions targets and facilitates the generation of Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits. By providing robust reporting capabilities, Synop supports fleet operators in monitoring their sustainability efforts and demonstrating their commitment to reducing emissions.
- Synop simplifies the complexity of charging at depots and home for drayage fleet operators. The software platform streamlines the charging process, ensuring efficient operations and convenient charging for employees. It also includes features to manage reimbursements for employees who take vehicles home, further incentivizing the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
- Synop aids drayage charging operators in managing subscriptions to charging hubs. Whether it involves accessing public charging infrastructure or coordinating with third-party charging providers, Synop's platform offers seamless subscription management, making it easier for charging operators to handle and optimize charging services.
The transition to EV fleets is a significant step towards reducing emissions in the drayage sector, which has been a major contributor to air pollution in California. Drayage trucks, which typically operate within a 50-mile radius, are responsible for transporting a significant portion of the goods that enter and exit California's ports. However, these trucks are often older and less efficient, leading to high levels of emissions and poor air quality in the surrounding communities.
Synop's software platform is vendor-agnostic and designed for easy deployment, making it an ideal solution for drayage fleets that need to rapidly transition to zero-emission vehicles. As California continues to implement new regulations aimed at reducing emissions in the trucking industry, the need for solutions like Synop's will only increase. With the right tools and support, fleets can successfully navigate the transition to zero-emission vehicles, helping to reduce emissions and improve air quality in communities across California and beyond.
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