Cutting the total cost of ownership could boost the transition to zero-emission truck fleets. A new study released by the respected McKinsey & Company consultancy observes that the total cost of ownership (TCO) for ZEVs remains significantly higher than that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The TCO gap ranges between 30% and 50% compared to ICE vehicles running on dirtier diesel fuel.
“Trucking is a significant source of emissions. Given that transportation is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with medium- and heavy-duty trucks accounting for about a quarter of these, transitioning fleets to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) has emerged as an urgent priority. [footnote 1] McKinsey’s recent survey of more than 200 US trucking fleets found that while two-thirds are committed to decarbonization and over half are piloting ZEVs, fewer than 10% see a viable path to scaling the use of ZEVs. [2] Adoption currently sits at a few thousand units per year, and even with decarbonization targets, there is uncertainty around scalable and timely zero-emission truck adoption,” McKinsey said. Continue reading
CFC Reduction Induces Ozone Layer Fixing
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A new MIT-led study confirms that the Antarctic ozone layer is healing as a direct result of global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs. This is significant because scientists have observed signs of ozone recovery in the past. However, the new study is the first to show, with high statistical confidence, that this recovery is due primarily to the reduction of ozone-depleting substances, instead of other influences such as natural weather variability or increased greenhouse gas emissions to the stratosphere.
“There’s been a lot of qualitative evidence showing that the Antarctic ozone hole is getting better. This is really the first study that has quantified confidence in the recovery of the ozone hole,” says study author Susan Solomon, the Lee and Geraldine Martin Professor of Environmental Studies and Chemistry. “The conclusion is, with 95% confidence, it is recovering. Which is awesome. And it shows we can actually solve environmental problems.” Continue reading →