Amazon Long Haul Trucking Energy Systems Analysis
This research evaluated the potential of renewable natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell electric, and battery electric vehicles to reduce the carbon footprint of heavy-duty diesel linehaul trucking. Research insight was based on an extensive literature review, the Argonne National Laboratory’s transportation emissions and economic modeling tools, academic and fuel-vendor interviews, and a summer internship on Amazon’s Transportation Sustainability team. Five criteria were determined to influence the fit of alternative powertrains for linehaul trucking: greenhouse gas reduction potential, vehicle availability, vehicle functionality, cost, and scalability. No one technology is a perfect decarbonization solution, and all powertrains require a facilitative market and policy environment. The resultant report will make contingent recommendations for decarbonizing linehaul trucking activities in order to contribute to net-zero carbon goals.