Agenda with Speakers:
Registration is Free and Lunch is Provided!
Purpose of the Event:
Audience:
Anyone interested in transportation decarbonization, electrification, state and federal policy surrounding medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, workforce development, creating living wage jobs, innovative financing for infrastructure investment, reducing transportation-related emissions, energy and electricity, hydrogen hubs, and more!
Why is this event focused on Medium- and Heavy Duty Zero Emission Vehicles?
Trucks and buses represent just 10% of vehicles on Washington’s roads and highways, but are responsible for 30% of the state’s GHG emissions, and disproportionately contribute to low air quality in low-income and historically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
To meet Washington State’s net zero carbon reduction goals by 2050 and improve local air quality, the medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicle sector needs to rapidly decarbonize. However, installing zero emission infrastructure is estimated to cost billions of dollars, zero emission heavy-duty vehicles cost several hundred thousand dollars more than their diesel counterparts, and our current workforce is not trained to service and maintain this new technology.
This event will bring several different sets of stakeholders together to identify what is working, where the financing gaps are, and how Washington state can strategically plan to finance the MHD ZEV transition!
There are three main challenges to decarbonizing the Medium and Heavy-duty vehicle sector:
Affordability & Accessibility: Can drivers, fleets, and operators access and afford to purchase zero emission medium and heavy-duty zero emission vehicles (MHD ZEVs)?
Zero Emission Refueling Infrastructure Availability: Does the electric grid have enough transmission and capacity to refuel MHD ZEVs? Is other zero emission refueling infrastructure (like hydrogen) available?
Workforce Development & Reskilling: Do we have the workforce to service, maintain, and operate these new technology vehicles? How are we planning to reskill and train the existing workforce of drivers, mechanics, electricians, and more?
While there are solutions to many of these challenges, one major issue remains:
How are we planning to pay for this transition?
Join the PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (PNWER RIA), WSU, and other key leaders from across Washington State to explore these and other questions at this in-person event on Thursday, April 27 in SeaTac, WA.
From state programs to federal support, and the private sector investments that are bridging the gap, learn about ways Washington State is planning for this transition, and some of the innovative existing efforts seen to pilot heavy-duty zero emission vehicle use in the Puget Sound!