Startup fleet operator and charging infrastructure developer WattEV will use the approximately $3 million in grants it received from two Southern California government agencies to buy 20 Class 8 electric trucks, according to a press release.
WattEV will use funding from the Last-Mile Freight Program of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to purchase the first 20 Volvo VNR Electric trucks of its fleet of 50. This move is to accelerate the deployment of emission-free freight-hauling in the six counties that make up SCAG's region. WattEV's goal is to get 12,000 heavy-duty electric trucks on California roads by the end of 2030, which would be faster than existing forecasts.
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"The awards from SCAG and South Coast AQMD demonstrate public vision and leadership in transforming freight into zero emissions," said Salim Youssefzadeh, WattEV CEO. "We're honored to be a recipient of these funds and to deploy these units in early 2023."
WattEV will offer its zero-emission trucks as part of its Trucks-as-a-Service (TaaS) program. Individual drivers or small fleets will be able to use the trucks on a per-mile or per-route basis with a service that includes use of the truck, charging, and maintenance. The TaaS model aims to remove the need for high initial investments in electric fleets.
Mayor of Palm Desert and SCAG president Jan Harnik said, "The Last-Might Freight Program helps Southern California focus on emission reductions and improve air quality while strengthening our supply chains in Southern California to deliver goods to the nation. Projects like this are an important contribution to our Connect SoCal Plan, which is aimed to support freight-related clean vehicles and equipment, and keep California in the driver's seat."
WattEV's fleet of battery-electric trucks will serve shippers with sustainability mandates, starting with those whose base of operations are in Southern California. The WattEV fleet also will help affected shippers comply with Southern California's new Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) program.
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Drivers will have new trucks at their disposal coupled with a mobile app enabling drivers to plan the day ahead, receive route optimization directions, manage the state of battery charge, and to manage freight brokerage and data collection. The trucks can be picked up at any of WattEV's network of charging depots.
"Our unique TaaS offering provides the flexibility and ease operators are looking for, while also providing shippers a simple and fast way to meet their sustainability goals without the upfront costs. As we increase our fleet and infrastructure network, we can go beyond Southern California to facilitate the sustainable transport of goods up to Sacramento and across major US freight corridors, said Paul Boehmer, VP of sales at WattEV. "Many of our initial customers are brand-name shippers that require transport to and from their facilities in Southern California.”
