California Air Resources Board

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Learn the Steps to Go Zero-Emission

1. Learn about zero-emission vehicles

There is a lot to learn when it comes to battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, fueling, infrastructure, regulations, and available incentives. Spend time tuning into a training course or visit the numerous resources linked on this page.

Educational Resources:

Drive Clean Glossary of Terms
Run on Less: Electric Truck Education Boot Camp Training
HVIP Informational Video Library
Video: Save Money with Zero-Emission Trucks
 

2. Identify your fleet needs

A few questions to ask include: How far does the vehicle travel on average per day? Are deliveries and trips local, totaling 50 to 150 miles a day or does the vehicle travel longer distances? Next, where and when is there vehicle downtime? Is the vehicle coming back to a yard or depot after a shift? Answering these questions on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis will help decide what sort of vehicles to purchase and what types of fueling infrastructure and locations may be necessary.

Planning Resources:

Cal Fleet Advisor (Video Introduction)
HVIP Purchaser Guide
Transit Infrastructure Planning Toolkit (PDF)
School Bus Infrastructure Planning Toolkit (PDF)
Infrastructure Planning Toolkit (PDF)

3. Define your team and contact your utility (if going to battery electric)

Building a team is critical for success and coordinating early is key. Potential team players include the fleet manager or owner, the electric utility, the dealer and vehicle manufacturer, the charger manufacturer, a design/engineering firm or consultant, staff at any incentive programs, and the permitting agency or authority having jurisdiction. Working with your utility from the onset of the planning process is critical to understand potential build out requirements, cost and development timelines, rates, demand charges, and incentives.

Utility Resources:

SoCal Edison Charge Ready Transport Program
SMUD: Business Electric Vehicles
PG&E EV Fleet Program
SDGE Power Your Drive for Fleets

4. Choose a vehicle

According to CALSTART Zero-Emission Technology Inventory Analytics, it is estimated that there are over 100 Class 2b-8 ZEV models commercially available in North America from multiple manufacturers in every vehicle weight class category. Most trucks and vans operate fewer than 100 miles per day, and many zero-emission configurations are currently available to serve that need. As technology advances, zero-emission vehicles will become suitable for more applications. Most major truck manufacturers have announced plans to introduce market ready zero-emission trucks.

Market Availability Resources:

CALSTART Zero-Emission Technology Inventory Tool
SDG&E Power Your Drive for Fleets
HVIP Vehicle Catalog
U.S. DOE Alternative Fuel Vehicle Database

5. Plan timeline and permitting

To build charging infrastructure, it will take time to plan, develop, and deploy. It may also take time to secure a new vehicle from the manufacturer. Full deployment of a project can take months or longer depending on how large or complex the project.

Permitting Resources:

CALSTART Infrastructure Insite Planning Tool
California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) Planning your Installation
GoBIZ Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Guidebook
GoBIZ Hydrogen Station Permitting Guidebook
EDF Fleet Electrification Solution Center

6. Plan for financing, insurance, and incentives

Consider planning for financing the upfront cost of infrastructure and zero-emission vehicles. Fleets with capital constraints can consider an “energy as a service” model where a third party pays the upfront costs to install all charging infrastructure, then charges the fleet a monthly fee to use the equipment. Also consider insurance coverage and ongoing costs. Several incentive programs are also available to assist with upfront costs.

Funding Resources:

Funding Finder - CALSTART Rebate Finder
Carl Moyer Program
EnergIIZE (Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission) Commercial Vehicles Project
Insurance Resources for Zero-Emission Trucks

7. Build out infrastructure

Infrastructure needs vary depending on fueling strategy, fleet size, technology used, charging equipment, access to the grid, and power demand. New battery electric charging equipment will vary in costs and depend on the required utility upgrades, transformers, trenching, conduit, station installation, charge management, and any energy storage or generation like solar.

Build out Resources:

EnergIIZE Planning Resources

8. Ensure driver and maintenance staff training

New technology means new policies and procedures for the operators of the zero-emission vehicles. Including the operator early in the process and receiving feedback ensure success for your zero-emission fleet operations and maintenance.