If you had to build a freight depot or a truck stop today to use for the next 20 years, what type of fuels would you offer? Would you include electric chargers? And if so, what voltage?
At the CCJ Symposium in Birmingham, Alabama, John Thomas, senior vice president of alternative energy at TravelCenters of America and Cedric Daniels, the electric transportation manager at the Alabama Power Company, spoke with CCJ Editor Jason Cannon to answer the question: Who will fuel the future?
Daniels and Thomas bring real-world perspectives to the often hypothetical conversations about the future of trucking and alternative fuels. No matter how rapidly states mandate decarbonization or OEMs work to produce viable alternative power options, these vehicles will only truly succeed when the infrastructure to refuel and recharge them hits the road as well.
In that respect, Daniels and Thomas spoke about how freight depots and truck stops can ready themselves for building future proof facilities.
And while Daniels works at Alabama Power Company, he stressed that his company belongs to a large network across all 50 states "in some capacity."
Cedric Daniels shared this slide on considerations fleets might have when building sites to accommodate EVs.
Daniels noted that it's never too early to start discussions with a power utility when it comes to integrating electric trucks into an operation. According to Daniels, "if you're going to be turning dirt and building a new building, that's the time to engage with us on the possibilities [of changing electrification needs]."
