Air, Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics

US zero emission plans are a paper tiger, says forwarding chief

[ March 14, 2024   //   Chris Lewis ]

US government plans for zero emissions ground transportation are “merely a vision on paper”, says executive director of the Airforwarders Association, Brandon Fried.

Reacting to the launch of the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy in mid-March, Fried – who has extensively lobbied the Biden Administration for increased funding to fix America’s crumbling freight infrastructure – believes it to be political posturing as opposed to realistic measures.

He said: “From where we stand today, it is unequivocally clear that our nation’s electric grid lacks the capacity to support the charging needs of the expected volume of electric freight trucks.

“While biofuel developments show promise, its future viability is contingent on increased investment in private distilling capacity to meet the anticipated demand.

“Similarly, meeting the demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in freight aircraft requires significant incentives and support from the Government, both of which are currently lacking.

“Sadly, it has been the case all too often that when it comes to zero-emission initiatives like these, and the laws and regulations that seek to support them, there is a pronounced lack of reality.”

He added that major questions remain over the Freight Corridor Strategy such as how cost requirements and timescales will be met as well as the commercial availability of suitable vehicles.

Tags: AfA, Raft; Airforwarders Association; AfA