A McMaster-led initiative is working to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in Canada’s trucking industry. 

While ZEVs continue to gain traction in households, operational demands and cost considerations make the move from diesel trucks to electric vehicles more complicated for commercial trucking fleets.  

Smaller firms especially face challenges related to performance, cost-effectiveness and logistics. 

A new initiative led by McMaster’s Institute for Transportation and Logistics (MITL) will provide a crucial resource for fleet decision-makers as they navigate the complexities of transitioning to cleaner technologies. 

Led by MITL Director Moataz Mohamed, an associate professor of smart systems and transportation in the department of Civil Engineering, the project will develop an online platform that helps trucking companies assess and make informed decisions about the integration of zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric, fuel-cell hydrogen and renewable natural gas-powered trucks. 

The project, titled “Reducing the Perceived Risks of Adopting Medium and Heavy Duty Zero Emission Vehicles: A Knowledge Hub for Fleet Decisionmakers,” is funded by Natural Resources Canada under the Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness initiative.  

“There are many questions fleets need to answer before considering a transition,” says Mohamed.  

“How will electric trucks perform in extreme cold weather or on routes with significant elevation changes? What are the operational and logistical hurdles? And what roles do government incentives play?” 

Creating a digital hub of resources and support for industry 

One of the project’s primary goals is to provide accessible, evidence-based data to help fleet operators of all sizes evaluate the long-term impacts of adopting ZEVs, which are often difficult to obtain, especially for smaller players in the trucking industry.  

While the largest trucking firms have the resources to analyze this data internally, many of the more than 100,000 trucking companies in Canada lack the capacity to make these complex evaluations, Mohamed says. 

The Knowledge Hub will be a comprehensive resource that addresses key areas of concern, such as the total cost of ownership, the environmental benefits of electric trucks and the potential for government incentives to support fleet transitions.   

It will also highlight how ZEVs compare to conventional diesel trucks in terms of operational efficiency and overall performance.  

In the short term, the Knowledge Hub will help fleets begin to consider zero-emission trucks as viable options.  

The transition to a fully decarbonized trucking industry will take decades, Mohamed notes, and this project will lay the groundwork for future, more advanced resources as that transition progresses. 

 “Trucking fleets across Canada are under increasing pressure due to climate change,” Mohamed says.  

“This new Knowledge Hub is essential to ensuring that fleets of all sizes are provided with the unbiased, evidence-based information they need to make informed, effective decisions.” 

 Thriving on collaboration 

Building on the reputatations of the university, the Faculty of Engineering and MITL, the project has engaged with more than 30 industry stakeholders, including fleet operators, truck manufacturers, municipalities, logistics providers and industry associations.  

These collaborations have provided valuable insights into the operational and financial realities of fleet management, helping to shape the content and functionality of the resource. 

The expertise and resources at McMaster University have significantly supported the project’s success. Mohamed points to the long-standing reputations of McMaster, the Faculty of Engineering and MITL, which have helped facilitate partnerships with industry leaders. 

With the backing of Natural Resources Canada and a strong foundation of academic and industry partnerships, MITL is enthusiastic about their ability to play a role in supporting Canada’s trucking industry in its transition to zero-emission vehicles and the creation of a cleaner, more sustainable future for all. 

Learn more about the McMaster Institute for Transporation and Logistics