Schneider, a key participant in the Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative (JETSI) project, has successfully deployed all 50 battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia trucks funded through the initiative.
This accomplishment solidifies Schneider’s position as one of the largest operators of zero-emission Class 8 fleets in the USA. The JETSI project, a collaborative effort that aims to deploy 100 Class 8 battery-electric trucks in Southern California, is part of the California Climate Investments initiative. This statewide effort utilises Cap-and-Trade dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate the economy, and enhance public health and the environment.
Liane Randolph, Chair of the California Air Resources Board, commended Schneider’s commitment to a cleaner air future, stating, “Schneider’s successful deployment of 50 new zero-emissions trucks that are transporting goods across Southern California is an example of how companies are stepping up to achieve a clean air future.”
The 50 battery-electric trucks are operational at Schneider’s Southern California intermodal operations centre in South El Monte. They primarily operate in regional haul routes around the Los Angeles and Inland Empire region for trips under 200 miles. Schneider’s Freightliner eCascadia drivers can complete six to eight trips per day before recharging the trucks at their depot. In November, Schneider became the first major carrier to announce hauling 1 million zero-emission miles of customer freight with its Freightliner eCascadia fleet. This zero-emission fleet aligns with Schneider’s broader environmental goals, helping the company progress toward its targets of reducing co2 emissions by 7.5% per mile by 2025 and achieving a 60% per mile reduction by 2035.
“With nearly 100 battery-electric trucks now in our fleet, we are not only reducing our Carbon footprint along the industrial corridor, but also paving the way for a greener future across our entire industry,” said Rob Reich, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Schneider.
The JETSI project received funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC), enabling the construction of a dedicated Charging station at Schneider’s South El Monte facility. The charging site, engineered and constructed by Black & Veatch, features 16 dual-corded dispensers with a capacity of 350kW each, allowing up to 32 battery-electric trucks to charge simultaneously.
“The JETSI project is demonstrating how to build out a zero-emission goods movement system, deploying both charging infrastructure and battery-electric trucks at an impressive scale,” explained Patty Monahan, Commissioner at the California Energy Commission (CEC).
