Why one zero-emission truck dealer wants big rigs to wait

Johannes Ariens, CEO of Range Zero Emissions, believes the push for zero-emission trucks is focusing too much on large rigs like Class 7 and 8 tractors. The company, which sells only zero-emission commercial vehicles, has been focused on medium-duty Class 4, 5, and 6 models, Ariens said. The firm recently became an authorized dealer for Hyundai's XCIENT Fuel Cell, a hydrogen Class 8 truck, and folded another zero-emissions brand into its lineup.

Range Zero Emissions is moving into new markets, including the Midwest and California, Ariens said. Medium-duty trucks are the most common commercial trucks, and many can be charged using existing power sources, Ariens explained. Charging two vehicles overnight is like charging a washing machine and an air compressor at home, he said.

The case for medium-duty trucks first, Ariens added, as each step in electrification builds on the next. Charging a Class 8 semi on a Level 2 charger is not feasible, he said. Many commercial fleets replace trucks every five to seven years, and programs that refill federal support for zero-emission trucks can help small businesses make the switch, Ariens said.