The FHWA, along with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office), is seeking public comments on a newly released RFI focused on medium- and heavy-duty electric charging technologies and infrastructure needs. This RFI aims to gather input in four areas to support MHD battery electric vehicles (EV) in Department of Transportation vehicles classes 4 through 8.
• Unique EV charger and station needs Vehicle charging patterns
• MHD EV charger technology and standardization
• Workforce, supply chain, and manufacturing to support charging of MHD battery EVs
The purpose of this RFI is to guide future Federal Government activities to support the development and deployment of EV chargers, addressing the needs of MHD EV original equipment manufacturers, fleet operators, drivers, charging station operators, and electric utilities. Comments should also address how to balance technological advancements with the need to expeditiously build out the national EV charging infrastructure, including support for MHD segments.
Additional information can be found here→. Responses to this RFI must be submitted using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov→, under docket number FHWA-2024- 0028. Responses must be received by November 12, 2024.
Background
The charging requirements for MHD EVs vary widely, reflecting the diverse operational profiles and energy demands within this sector. Vehicles range from urban delivery trucks and transit buses with structured schedules to long-haul trucks and regional transit vehicles, such as coaches and tractor trailers, which cover longer distances between cities. In addition, some vehicles, like municipal sanitation trucks, may serve multiple functions, such as snowplowing during the winter months.
Short haul vehicles can often use centralized charging depots, benefiting from lower power- charging. In contrast, long-haul applications, such as heavy-duty trucks engaged in interstate freight transportation, may require ultra-fast charging to reduce downtime. These vehicles operate continuously for extended periods, necessitating strategically located charging stations along major transportation corridors to facilitate rapid turnaround times or parking facilities equipped with charging stations.
Developing robust charging infrastructure requires addressing this spectrum of use cases, ensuring that solutions are scalable, adaptable, and aligned with the evolving needs of the transportation industry.
