Photo: East Bay Express.

Zero emissions Class 8 heavy-duty Class 8 18-wheelers are a reality today.  The innovative Kansas City company Orange EV is the first and only company to make all-electric big rigs commercially available.  Their electric terminal trucks are operating throughout the country.

However, over-the-road electric Class 8 trucks are another story – to date only prototype and demonstration zero emissions Class 8 trucks capable of operating on public highways have been produced.

But, the marketplace is changing rapidly, and other companies, some established and some new, are jumping into the fray.  As a result, within a few years we may see a strong shift from dirty diesel to zero-emissions trucking on public highways.  A few examples, followed by references for more information:

As we reported late last year in Nikola announces “The end of diesel engines”… electric Class 8 heavy-duty trucks using power generated by hydrogen fuel cells will be truly zero-emissions if the hydrogen is generated by solar energy.  Nikola Motors has an ambitious and innovative plan to do that on the national level by 2020, with solar-powered refueling stations on major truck routes throughout the country.  Their solution has a number of other innovative features, and they have produced a very impressive demonstration vehicle.

By the end of 2016, Nikola reported that they had received over 7,000 preorders worth over $2 billion.

“Say goodbye to the days of dirty diesel…” 

                                                             Trevor Milton, CEO of Nikola Motor Company

Mercedes-Benz is also moving into this market, and has promised to deliver prototypes of its all-electric mid-range (124 miles) Urban eTruck this year, and produce it commercially in 2020.

Last week, two more firms joined the zero emissions trucking race – Tesla announced that they have an electric semi under production, and Toyota developed a prototype hydrogen-electric drayage truck for use at the Port of Los Angeles.

For the latest news, check out the articles below.

Rail Management Services Orders 9 More Orange EV T-Series All-Electric Yard Trucks, CleanTechnica

Big Rigs to Pickups — Toyota Could Develop Full Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Line, Trucks.com

Mercedes’ electric Urban eTruck will hit the road this year, Road Show

Toyota Rolls Out Hydrogen Semi Ahead Of Tesla’s Electric Truck, Forbes

Morgan Stanley likes the idea of a Tesla semi-truck, Business Insider