Alternative Fuels and Infrastructure

 

The WCC achieves diesel emissions reductions through a variety of efforts including: low and zero emission fuel use, alternative fuel powertrain conversion, alternative fuel vehicle and equipment replacement, and diesel fuel conservation. As fleets transition to alternative fuels, the need for robust fueling infrastructure becomes more important. The WCC contributes to alternative fuel station planning and development through the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Corridor Coalition (AFICC), a public-private partnership that seeks to accelerate the modernization of west coast transportation corridors by deploying medium and heavy-duty accessible alternative fuel infrastructure.

Alternative Fuels

Emissions from diesel vehicles and equipment pollute the air we breathe. A "cleaner fuel" is a cleaner-burning replacement for petroleum-based diesel fuel, whether it is a modified form of diesel, or an outright alternative to diesel. The WCC is fuel neutral and supports "cleaner" forms of diesel fuel and alternatives to diesel fuel.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuel Data Center is the best resource to learn more about cleaner alternatives to petroleum-based diesel, including electricity, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel.

West Coast Collaborative Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Corridor Coalition (WCC AFICC)

The mission of the WCC AFICC is to accelerate the modernization of west coast transportation corridors by deploying alternative fuel infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment in synergy with other investments. Public-private collaboration to plan projects, leverage funding, and construct modernized corridors with alternative fuel infrastructure will create jobs, increase domestic fuel supply diversity, reduce emissions, improve public health, and support more robust medium and heavy-duty fleet operations.

The WCC hosted a series of AFICC webinars focused on medium and heavy-duty alternative fuel infrastructure needs in the West Coast region. The webinar series also included informational briefings regarding medium and heavy-duty plug-in electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, natural gas, and propane powertrain technologies and related infrastructure. See the list below for recordings and slide decks from the WCC AFICC webinar series:

WCC AFICC Medium and Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Strategic Development Plan

The WCC AFICC commissioned CALSTART to prepare the Medium and Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Strategic Development Plan in March 2020 to help identify potential diesel emission reduction strategies in the West Coast region. The WCC AFICC sought stakeholder input on investment needs for plug-in electric (EV), hydrogen (H2), propane (LPG), compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas (CNG and LNG) fueling infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. The plan outlines medium and heavy-duty alternative fuel infrastructure gaps, evaluates project implementation readiness, and highlights near-term investments needed to support medium and heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicle and equipment deployment. This document captures a snapshot in time and should be considered as an initial, possible framework for medium and heavy-duty alternative fuel infrastructure investments on the West Coast, not a prescriptive list of specific projects that must be endorsed for funding, or implementation. The information and recommendations within the plan are presented by CALSTART, and do not necessarily represent the views of other WCC Partners. The plan can be referenced by stakeholders to support participation in eligible funding opportunities.

Additional Medium and Heavy-Duty-Accessible Alternative Fuel Stations in the WCC States and Territories

The strategic plan document referenced above reflects project proposals submitted by fleets, equipment users, fuel providers and other WCC Partners who participated in the AFICC's 2016-2019 alternative fuel infrastructure needs assessment for medium and heavy-duty fleet operations in California, Oregon, and Washington. The WCC AFICC believes that the proposals listed in the March 2020 plan cover a small percentage of the demand for medium and heavy-duty alternative fuel infrastructure on the West Coast. With that in mind, the WCC conducted a web survey in 2021 to solicit additional medium and heavy-duty-accessible EV, H2, LPG, CNG and/or LNG infrastructure project proposals (e.g., Class 5+ on-highway vehicles >16,001 lbs, locomotives, marine vessels, and other heavy-duty nonroad equipment) from WCC Partners seeking funding assistance and partnerships to support implementation elsewhere in the WCC states and territories, including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Tribal Lands, and the U.S. Pacific Island Territories: American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands. Survey closed on September 30, 2021.

Additional AFICC updates to be announced via the WCC Communicator Newsletter – CLICK HERE TO JOIN