Greenlane, Uber Freight Join in Electric Truck Charging Push
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Charging infrastructure developer Greenlane plans to utilize Uber Freight data alongside its own findings in building its proposed public electric and hydrogen commercial vehicle charging network, the Daimler Truck North America-backed joint venture said.
Greenlane plans to build its first charging corridors in Southern California, Texas and the Northeastern U.S.
The joint venture is a partnership between DTNA, Florida-based power producer NextEra Energy Resources and BlackRock Alternatives, an arm of one of the world’s largest investment firms. DTNA is the parent company of Class 8 truck manufacturers Freightliner and Western Star.
Greenlane and Uber Freight in a December release said they are teaming in order to figure out which sites and corridors are prime candidates for early heavy-duty, battery-electric vehicle deployment, charging infrastructure and the suitability of certain shipping lanes for electrification.
The partners hope their collaboration will accelerate construction of public charging hubs and, in turn, adoption and deployment of battery-electric trucks, they added.
Uber Freight and Greenlane are teaming up to accelerate the development and adoption of commercial electric truck charging stations nationwide. Learn more about how we’re paving the path forward for greener supply chains here: https://t.co/PxHrHuidtd pic.twitter.com/DELsCDKtha — Uber Freight (@UberFreight) December 14, 2023
“I am delighted that we will be working with Uber Freight to accelerate BEV adoption and help reduce the carbon footprint of freight distribution,” Greenlane CEO Patrick Macdonald-King said. “Our national network of EV charging and hydrogen fueling stations together with our Uber Freight collaboration will make the electrification transition easier for shippers. Together, we will pave the way for a greener and more efficient future in logistics.”
Macdonald-King
“Electric trucks present a tremendous opportunity to help decarbonize supply chains and significantly reduce global emissions,” Uber Freight CEO Lior Ron said.
The partnership will also explore using Uber Freight’s marketplace technology for charging appointment scheduling, surface Greenlane charging stations, and fuel card partnership discounts.
Greenlane expects to break ground at its first fueling network sites in early 2024, a DTNA spokeswoman told Transport Topics in October.
The first corridors for the $650 million venture will be operational within a year of the groundbreaking, the spokeswoman said, adding that the first site will be in Southern California. The state has the biggest incentives and most aggressive goals of any state in the U.S. when it comes to Class 8 trucks powered by alternative fuels.
The Greenlane tie-up is the second partnership with a Daimler Truck unit that Uber Freight has announced since the start of December. The company — which also issued a road map for nationwide electric truck deployment Dec. 14 — is teaming with Torc Robotics to develop autonomous trucking services. Under that deal, Uber Freight would incorporate its logistics network into Torc’s development and deployment of autonomous trucks. Torc hopes to commercialize autonomous trucks at scale by 2027.
ERoad's Craig Marris gives advice on carving out a practical, effective road map to a greener and more efficient fleet. Tune in above or by going to RoadSigns.ttnews.com.
Uber Freight previously inked autonomous truck tie-ups with Waymo, Waabi and Aurora. Uber Freight ranks No. 9 on Transport Topics’ Top 100 list of the largest logistics companies in North America.
Ron said during a Dec. 6 discussion that artificial intelligence could revolutionize logistics by reducing vehicle emissions by helping optimize routes and minimizing empty miles.
Uber Freight expects to shift 80% of its brokerage shipments globally to clean transportation by 2040.
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