This article was published by the Pembina Institute on March 26, 2024.
TORONTO — With generous support from FedEx, the Pembina Institute has launched the Grid Readiness Project to help accelerate the transition from gas- and diesel-powered fleets to zero-emission road freight.
The Grid Readiness Project is a unique collaboration between the Pembina Institute and RMI. At the end of the project’s research and analysis phase, Pembina will release a comprehensive charging infrastructure Action Plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) that will assist decision-makers in determining optimal locations for commercial freight charging and refuelling stations and their anticipated energy loads.
Operators of large fleets have already begun to switch over to low-carbon and electric commercial vehicles, and uptake is expected to continue its rise. However, the adoption of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is at risk of stalling largely because the deployment of charging infrastructure has not kept pace.
Adam Thorn, Transportation Director, Pembina Institute said “We’ve been witnessing the gradual shift to fleet electrification, which is likely going to go into overdrive in less than 10 years.” He added “This means enormous changes in the types of trucks and buses on the road and the infrastructure needed to power these vehicles. Given the timelines, planning for charging locations and energy demand needs to happen as soon as possible and decisions need to be data driven.”
Utilities and energy regulators are only now beginning to make planning decisions that will address the steep increase in energy demand from zero-carbon road transportation. In the absence of research that can inform complex and dispersed decisions and investments, the Pembina Institute will undertake analysis using RMI’s new GridUp data platform, a powerful tool that will inform utilities, energy regulators, and others on how to proactively locate, strengthen and upgrade charging infrastructure.
Pembina will also be working with municipalities, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to assess grid readiness and recommend next steps.
This announcement reflects a commitment by FedEx to advance sustainable transportation throughout Canada. FedEx is working toward transforming its entire parcel pickup and delivery fleet to zero-tailpipe-emissions vehicles by 2040, as part of its goal to reach carbon-neutral operations by the same year.
“Fleet electrification is a key pillar of the FedEx roadmap to carbon-neutral operations by 2040 and our commitment to deliver a more sustainable future for all,” said Dean Jamieson, Vice President of Operations at FedEx Express Canada.
In June of 2023, FedEx Express Canada received its first 50 Zevo 600 all-electric delivery vehicles from GM subsidiary BrightDrop. FedEx now has over 1,000 low-emission vehicles globally.
Electrifying all 4 million U.S. and Canadian vans and step vans would save nearly 43.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Electrifying all 4 million U.S. and Canadian vans and step vans would save nearly 43.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
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