Industry-Led ZEV Infrastructure Group Sees Membership Rise | Transport Topics

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LAS VEGAS — Powering America’s Commercial Transportation finalized its initial membership cohort in recent days with 24 founding members, almost double the number revealed when the zero-emission infrastructure lobbying coalition was announced in January.

Conceived by truck makers Daimler Truck North America, Navistar Inc. and Volvo Group North America, PACT aims to accelerate the deployment of refueling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles by convincing lawmakers and cstakeholders of the merits of expediting decarbonization.

Penske Truck Leasing was announced as the final charter member of the coalition May 13 alongside the three truck makers and will take a seat on its board as a result. Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement and fleet planning, will fill the board seat, the company said.

 Amazon.com Inc. ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest logistics companies in North America.

J.B. Hunt  Transport Services ranks No. 3 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America and No. 3 on the logistics TT100. 

Penske operates and maintains a fleet of more than 448,000 vehicles across its businesses in North America on behalf of itself and its customers. Penske ranks No. 15 on the for-hire TT100 and No. 16 on the logistics TT100.

Pitt Ohio Transportation Group ranks No. 60 on the for-hire TT100.

The lens of a fleet operator helps original equipment manufacturers when talking to the Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board, providing living testimony as the industry makes its case, with fair, credible information of what can work and what is needed, Rosa said at Advanced Clean Transportation Expo 2024.

“There are challenges. This isn’t easy. Its not meant to be easy,” he said. But “we’re going to get it done a lot faster, because we’re working together.”

Rosa added, “PACT is the first trucking industry coalition where there is a true overlap of industry representation. That’s really powerful.”

PACT board Chair Dawn Fenton said, “PACT membership has more than doubled since the organization’s official launch in late January and reflects the diverse set of stakeholders involved in deploying charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles. We are all focused on accelerating the availability of reliable infrastructure for zero-emission commercial vehicles.

“The different duty cycles and power requirements of heavy-duty vehicles relative to passenger cars bring unique challenges to building out this charging network. By working together to address the interests and concerns of all stakeholders, we can develop and promote programs, policies and regulations that offer the greatest chance of achieving our goal to decarbonize transportation.”

We are all focused on accelerating the availability of reliable infrastructure for zero-emission commercial vehicles.

PACT board Chair Dawn Fenton

Commercial vehicle electrification took a number of steps forward in recent weeks. In March, the federal government laid out plans for a nationwide network of zero-emission freight corridors. In April, the Federal Highway Administration distributed nearly $150 million in grants to freight electrification hub projects, including some involving PACT founding members.

Still, some industry players are skeptical about the speed of the push for electrification of trucking, with Ryder System Inc. issuing a scathing report on the costs May 8 and a panel at American Trucking Associations’ Mid-Year Management Session in San Antonio warning of an expensive and tricky path ahead May 21.

Ryder Supply Chain Solutions ranks No. 8 on the logistics TT100 and No. 9 on the for-hire TT100.

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