Results of a study by electric utilities in Washington, Oregon, and California call for the installation of charging sites along the I-5 for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks to reduce pollution caused by freight transport along the Pacific Coast.

The West Coast Clean Transit Corridor Initiative study, which was commissioned was by a collaboration of nine electric utilities and two agencies representing more than two dozen municipal utilities, recommends adding electric vehicle charging for freight haulers and delivery trucks at 50-mile intervals along Interstate 5 and adjoining highways.

“This study comes at a time when we believe major investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure will help significantly with economic recovery from COVID-19 in our states,” said Katie Sloan, director of e-mobility and building electrification for Southern California Edison, one of the study’s sponsors.

Other sponsors include Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Northern California Power Agency, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, Puget Sound Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, San Diego Gas & Electric, Seattle City Light, and Southern California Public Power Authority.

The report proposes a phased approach for electrifying the I-5 corridor:

• Install 27 charging sites along I-5 at 50-mile intervals for medium-duty electric vehicles by 2025.

• Expand 14 of the 27 charging sites to also accommodate charging for electric Class 7 and 8 trucks by 2030.

Of the 27 proposed sites, 16 are in California, five are in Oregon, and six are in Washington. An additional 41 sites on other highways that connect to I-5 are also being proposed for electrification.

“By supplying our customers with clean electricity as a transportation fuel, we can support our customers’ desire for lower carbon electricity and transportation fuel options, reduce air emissions and improve community health outcomes while helping Washington state accelerate its efforts to meet stronger environmental goals,” said Will Einstein, PSE’s director of new product development.

The report also recommends expanding state, federal, or private programs that provide funding for electrification. Read the full report here.