Fleet Operator Perspectives on Heavy-duty Vehicle Alternative Fueling Infrastructure

Abstract

Despite the aggressive policy goals aiming to transition heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) toward zero-emission technologies, the penetration rates of zero-emission or even alternative fuel technologies (including zero-emission and other fuels cleaner than petroleum) are still very low. Given that the majority of HDVs are used as fleet vehicles, a better understanding of fleet operator behavior and perspectives on clean fuel technologies is crucial to develop effective demand-side strategies to achieve such policy goals. Of many adoption barriers, a well-known major obstacle is the lack of fueling/charging infrastructure. However, there is limited understanding on how HDV fleet operators have navigated the issues involving the insufficient infrastructure. This study explores how HDV fleets have used alternative fueling infrastructure, how dis/satisfied fleet operators are with the infrastructure, and for what reasons they have decided to construct their own on-site fueling facilities, or to use off-site stations. Based on a case study of compressed natural gas, the most prevalent alternative fuel option so far in the HDV sector, 17 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with HDV fleet operators in California. Content and thematic analyses of the data yielded detailed qualitative inferences on use behavior, satisfaction, and fleet decisions between on-site versus off-site fueling. The study findings are the first step toward enhancing our understanding of HDV fleet behavior regarding alternative fueling infrastructure, which can contribute to filling the knowledge gap in this field and to developing further research questions to elicit policy recommendations that can support the adoption of clean fuel technologies in HDV fleets.