UC Riverside

The transportation sector has adopted electrification as a primary strategy to curb vehicle emissions. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have become mainstream in the light-duty sector while heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), both on- and off-road, are gradually moving towards electrification. This dissertation focuses on the assessment of technical feasibility and economic workability of BEVs in a variety of heavy-duty on- and off-road applications.In the on-road HDV segment, battery electric trucks (BETs) have become commercially available in recent years, but their ability to operate at the same level as conventional diesel trucks was unclear. Therefore, this research simulated heavy-duty BETs carrying out activities of a real-world drayage truck fleet. The results showed that the shorter range and longer refueling (charging) time of BETs, as compared to diesel trucks, significantly limit their operations. As a potential solution, range extension through wireless charging at seaports was explored. Additionally, an optimal strategy for siting and sizing wireless chargers was developed using the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as a case study. Off-road equipment (ORE) are diverse in their type (e.g., construction, agriculture, etc.) and size (from a few to hundreds of horsepower), underscoring the need for increased research and development to support their electrification. As part of this dissertation’s research, a methodology assessing the electrification feasibility of ORE in all types and sizes was developed. It used real-world activity data collected from diesel equipment to determine battery size and charging requirements. Additionally, this research developed a framework for identifying ORE types and sizes that would provide emission reductions most cost-effectively when incentivized for electrification. The results can aid government agencies in designing highly targeted incentive programs. Finally, this dissertation’s research conducted a comparative analysis of the total cost of ownership for battery electric and diesel ORE, investigating the role of government incentives in helping battery electric ORE achieve cost parity with their diesel counterparts. The results of this dissertation sheds light on the potential of operating BEVs in a variety of heavy-duty on- and off-road applications. It contributes to accelerating the transition of heavy-duty on-road vehicle and off-road equipment towards zero emission technologies.