Clean Transport

Decarbonizing the automotive supply chain is crucial because the industry's shift to electric vehicles will still result in significant emissions from materials used in production. By 2040, materials will account for 60% of life-cycle emissions, making sustainable material sourcing essential for achieving net-zero goals (Mighty Earth, n.d.)[4].

Tracking and reducing emissions in automotive supply chains can enhance supply chain resilience, tap into consumer preferences, strengthen brand reputation, and realize economic benefits through cost savings from energy efficiency and emission reduction strategies. Technologies like blockchain can also increase supply chain transparency and efficiency (Automotive Logistics, 2025)[3].

California offers various incentives for electric vehicles, including rebates from utilities like Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric, which provide up to $1,000 for used EVs. Additionally, programs like the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District offer up to $12,000 for qualified residents. However, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project is currently not accepting new applications.

California's electric vehicle initiatives are part of a broader strategy to reduce pollution and promote clean energy. These efforts include not only EV incentives but also investments in charging infrastructure and policies to reduce emissions from power plants. The state's focus on EVs aligns with global trends in cleantech investments and environmental policy shifts.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes provisions to repeal EPA rules related to multi-pollutant emissions standards and vehicle tailpipe standards. It also involves rescinding funding for various environmental initiatives, such as clean heavy-duty vehicles and greenhouse gas reduction programs. These changes could significantly impact environmental protections and the adoption of clean vehicles.

The Act includes provisions like a $250-per-year registration fee for electric vehicles and the rollback of EPA vehicle emissions standards. These changes could increase costs for electric vehicle owners and reduce incentives for the development and adoption of clean energy technologies, potentially slowing the transition to more efficient vehicles.

Electrifying short-sea shipping significantly enhances sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. This method aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as climate action and sustainable cities, by providing a more environmentally friendly transportation option compared to traditional road and air transport[1][3][4].

Hybridization in shipping, particularly in short-sea routes, involves combining traditional propulsion systems with electric or battery power. This approach allows vessels to operate with reduced emissions, especially in port areas, and offers flexibility in propulsion sources, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable shipping industry[5].

Electric vehicles enhance the road trip experience by allowing for more leisurely stops, where travelers can enjoy meals, shop for snacks, or take walks to stretch their legs. This contrasts with the rushed nature of gas car stops, which often feel like a waste of time. Additionally, EVs simplify daily routines by eliminating the need to remember to refuel, as they can be charged at home[1].

One of the significant challenges electric vehicles face on long road trips, especially when towing trailers, is the lack of pull-thru charging stations. This forces drivers to unhook their trailers to charge, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Additionally, the charging speed and availability of suitable charging infrastructure remain critical factors for successful EV road trips[4].

California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, adopted in 2022, required that an increasing percentage of new vehicles sold in the state be zero-emission or plug-in hybrid, starting with 35% in 2026 and reaching 100% by 2035. This was intended to drastically reduce carbon emissions and air pollution by phasing out the sale of new gasoline-only cars and promoting sustainable transportation.

The U.S. Senate voted to revoke California’s authority to set stricter vehicle emissions standards by overturning a federal waiver that allowed the state to enforce its own rules. This move, led by Republicans, challenges California’s long-standing ability to combat air pollution and meet ambitious climate goals, and could significantly slow progress toward reducing tailpipe emissions and promoting cleaner air in the state and other states that follow its lead.

Hydrogen is a key ingredient in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), particularly in e-fuels like Twelve’s E-Jet®. It reacts with carbon monoxide derived from captured CO2 to create liquid hydrocarbons that serve as jet fuel. Hydrogen must be in a pure form, freed from chemical bonds, and is typically produced by splitting water using electricity. This process enables the creation of fuels that can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.

E-fuels produced by combining clean hydrogen with recycled carbon dioxide can achieve near 100% reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions by creating a closed carbon loop. The sustainability depends on the feedstock and the carbon intensity of the production process. However, producing renewable hydrogen via electrolysis requires significant energy, and current global renewable energy supplies limit large-scale production, making e-fuels currently a niche but promising solution for sustainable aviation.

Cold ironing is a process where ships at berth are connected to shore power, allowing them to shut off their engines. This reduces emissions by using cleaner electrical power from the port's grid instead of burning fossil fuels onboard, which significantly decreases air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions[1][2][3].

Ports like the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, and Seattle Port have implemented cold ironing. These ports have seen significant reductions in emissions and financial savings. For example, Seattle Port reported a 29% reduction in carbon emissions and up to 26% financial savings per call[2][3].

The Polestar 3 electric SUV achieves a lower lifetime environmental impact through several factors: it uses renewable electricity in production, especially for aluminium, steel, and battery components which make up 68% of its carbon footprint; it has reduced cradle-to-gate emissions compared to earlier models; and over its lifetime, the emissions from driving an EV powered by renewable or low-carbon electricity are significantly lower than those from petrol cars. This means that despite its size, the Polestar 3’s overall carbon footprint from production to end-of-life is less than that of smaller internal combustion engine vehicles.

Small ICE cars are often assumed to be more environmentally friendly due to their size and fuel efficiency, but when considering the full lifecycle emissions—including manufacturing, fuel extraction, and tailpipe emissions—they may have a higher overall carbon footprint than larger EVs. EVs, especially when charged with renewable energy, offset their higher manufacturing emissions over time through zero tailpipe emissions and cleaner energy use, resulting in a lower total environmental impact.

The roadmap emphasizes a combination of measures including the gradual reduction of greenhouse gas intensity in maritime fuels, mandatory use of onshore power supply (OPS) or equivalent zero-emission technologies for ships at berth starting from 2030, and the adoption of renewable and low-carbon fuels such as biofuels, hydrogen, and ammonia. Additionally, flexibility mechanisms like credit banking and pooling are introduced to help shipping operators manage compliance effectively. The strategy also involves infrastructure investments in carbon capture and storage (CCS) hubs at major ports to capture maritime CO2 emissions, particularly in large ports like Rotterdam and Antwerp.

Clear strategies and timelines are essential because European ports face significant pressure from climate policies and air quality regulations to reduce carbon emissions in both landside and waterside operations. The complexity of decarbonizing the maritime sector, which involves international logistics, high costs of technology transition, and the need for coordinated infrastructure development, requires well-defined milestones and regulatory frameworks. This ensures effective implementation, encourages early adoption of clean technologies, and aligns investments in infrastructure such as onshore power supply and carbon capture systems with emission reduction targets.

Class 6 fuel cell electric trucks (FCEVs) offer extended ranges of 400-500 miles per hydrogen fill, significantly surpassing typical battery electric vehicle ranges for this class. They also refuel faster than battery recharging and avoid payload compromises from heavy battery packs, while emitting only water vapor. Unlike many heavy-duty alternatives, they don't require a commercial driver's license (CDL) for operation.

Consortiums like Fontaine Modification's group combine specialized expertise in chassis modification, hydrogen storage, fuel cell systems, and electric propulsion to accelerate deployment. This collaborative approach addresses technical complexities, shares development costs, and demonstrates market readiness to potential fleet operators.

Black carbon is a harmful pollutant produced by diesel engines that is carcinogenic and contributes to poor air quality. The study found that switching Caltrain from diesel to electric trains reduced riders' exposure to black carbon by 89%, significantly lowering health risks such as cancer among commuters and train conductors.

The transition from diesel to electric trains occurred over just a few weeks in late summer 2024, and the study observed an immediate and dramatic drop in black carbon concentrations in and around the San Francisco station, comparable to the improvements achieved by 30 years of clean air regulations in California cities.