[Guest article courtesy of ROUSH CleanTech]
The pace of transportation innovation will continue to quicken
With a huge global and national push for clean air, here’s what we know for sure: What it took the automotive industry to accomplish in 100 years will again happen over the next 10 years.
More than 90,000 class 6-7 trucks were sold in North America in 2022. To replace that many diesel trucks with cleaner alternatives, we need to take an all-encompassing strategy.
Accomplishing this transition will involve a combination of measures such as adopting multiple types of fuels within a fleet, improving charging and fueling infrastructure and offering financial assistance or tax incentives to fleet operators. We also have to ensure that the solutions adopted are resilient and can move goods and people in times of emergency when our electric grid has been compromised.
Some European countries have made significant progress in transitioning away from diesel. Countries like Norway and the Netherlands have been at the forefront of EV adoption, while other nations have implemented strict emission standards and regulations. Learning from their experiences, policies and initiatives provide valuable insights that will help our nation accelerate the transition to cleaner fuels and transportation.
Lastly, it’s tough to predict American advancements that haven’t even been thought of yet. With ongoing R&D in areas like energy storage, advanced materials, autonomous vehicles and alternative propulsion systems, future technology will bring unexpected and exciting breakthroughs that will further reshape the transportation landscape.
The future of transportation is unpredictable yet filled with possibilities. Without research, innovation and the American spirit, we would still be driving horse-drawn buggies. Onward!
Todd Mouw is executive vice president of sales and marketing of ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of advanced clean vehicle technology. To learn more, visit ROUSHcleantech.com.