Long Haul Trucks
Long-haul freight trucks are vital for moving goods throughout the state and are the backbone of the U.S. goods economy. Although long-haul trucks represent just one percent of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for a disproportionate share of fuel consumption and emissions impacts. According to models from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, total greenhouse gas emissions from heavy trucks are almost three times greater than emissions from cars, trucks and SUVs. This impact is expected to grow over time.
Electric long-haul trucks
As passenger vehicles electrify, heavy trucks are projected to account for an increasingly large share of remaining transportation sector emissions. To reduce those emissions, state agencies rely on clean vehicle regulations, grant and incentive programs, and technology advancements in heavy truck engines and exterior designs.
Heavy trucks powered by electricity are a great option, but face challenges due to higher initial purchase costs, heavy batteries that reduce payload capacity, limited availability of higher output charging, and a need for charging stations with sufficient space to maneuver longer truck trailers. Long haul trucks typically spend days or weeks on the road so they can’t “return home” often to charge like locally based electric vehicles. They need a nationwide charging network that is just starting to emerge.
Clean hydrogen and blended diesel fuels
Hydrogen is another potential zero-emission option well suited for long haul trucks, because it can provide longer driving ranges and faster refueling than battery electric trucks. “Clean” hydrogen is hydrogen produced with little or no carbon emissions.
However, widespread adoption will require expanded hydrogen production and fueling infrastructure, lower cost ways to generate clean hydrogen, broader commercial availability of fuel cell electric trucks, and new regulatory processes to test and certify hydrogen refueling stations. (See the Lower Emissions Fuels page for more information.)
While we wait for electric trucks, lower emission biodiesel and renewable diesel remain important tools for reducing emissions from long-haul freight. These fuels are commercially available, compatible with much of the existing diesel fleet, and have less greenhouse gas emissions relative to conventional diesel. See the Lower Emissions Fuels page for more information.
Other technology
Other vehicle technologies can help trucks save fuel costs and reduce emissions, like better aerodynamics, advanced electronic systems to control driving speeds, and new tire rubber compounds to reduce rolling resistance. Auxiliary power units are already reducing emissions from extended commercial truck idling, helped by supportive laws. Learn more about these types of fuel efficiency options on the Eco-driving page.
Long haul trucks: emissions reduction vision
By 2035, engine and powertrain technologies will be 25% more efficient for long-haul freight trucks, compared to 1990 levels.
By 2050, engine and powertrain technologies will be at least 35% more efficient for long-haul freight trucks, compared to 1990 levels.
How Oregon is doing
Long haul freight trucks remain one of the most challenging vehicles to decarbonize. Heavy-duty electric trucks are just coming to market and new hydrogen pilot projects show promise. While Oregon has made progress on reducing emissions from long haul trucks, two significant technology challenges remain to electrification: Engines and refueling infrastructure.
Electric and hydrogen refueling options for heavy-duty trucks are just beginning to become available. Grant programs opened in 2023 and 2025 will help fund heavier electric vehicle charging at depots and public fueling stations along Oregon’s major freight routes.
These infrastructure investments implement recommendations from several state studies:
The multi-state West Coast Truck Charging and Fueling Corridor Project.
Oregon has a growing list of success stories that show the practical application of electric vehicle technologies across a range of medium and heavy-duty vehicle use cases.
See the Electric Vehicle Charging and Lower Emission Fuels pages for more information.
Cleaner diesel use
Long-haul trucks will continue to use diesel engines for decades. Renewable diesel, which emits only half the carbon per gallon of pure diesel, is a promising drop-in replacement fuel that can be used in compatible vehicles while they are still operating. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program incentivizes fuel suppliers to deliver renewable diesel, but suppliers need to deliver more fuel to meet demand.
State regulations
The 2021 Advanced Clean Trucks rule increases the availability of zero‑emission medium‑ and heavy‑duty vehicles by requiring manufacturers to sell a growing share of these vehicle types. However, this rule is currently under legal challenge.
Multiple related grant and incentive programs from DEQ provide opportunities to fund deployment of those vehicles with Oregon fleets. These programs continue but face uncertain funding.
Additionally, reporting shows state legislation is working to phase out older diesel engines in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. There has been a 30% drop in older engines (2009 model year or earlier) since 2020.
How Oregon can improve
While the transition to electric and hydrogen trucks is beginning, Oregon needs to prepare now for future needs when this shift happens. In addition to preparing for zero-emission trucks, Oregon can support the use of lower carbon diesel alternatives and more fuel-efficient vehicle designs that require less fuel for the same amount of work, which translate into less greenhouse gas emissions.
These objectives could be supported by state policy actions, including:
The 2019 diesel mandate could be expanded to a statewide requirement. The current law is accelerating the shift to newer, more fuel efficient medium- and heavy- duty trucks registered in the three-county Portland region.
State agencies can continue supporting deployment of zero-emission trucks and related infrastructure while monitoring ongoing legal and regulatory developments affecting the Oregon Advanced Clean Trucks rule.
The DEQ Clean Fuels Program regulates the statewide mix of fuels to reduce the emissions they emit over time, with targets through 2035. DEQ is working to extend that rule; learn more about this on our Fuel Technology page.
Funding could help in many areas. Some existing programs need renewed and sustained funding, while others are newer grant opportunities:
DEQ has programs to incentivize medium- and heavy-duty fleet owners to transition to lower emission fuel vehicles, like the Clean Fuels Program, Diesel Emissions Mitigation Program, Zero Emissions Rebates for Oregon Fleets Program, Zero Emissions Fueling Program and related incentives from some electric utilities.
Aftermarket parts added to truck exteriors and low rolling resistance tires can reduce wind drag and increase fuel efficiency. Grant programs could make these practices more affordable, and support fuel cost savings when gas prices are high.
State and local agencies can pursue federal funding and partner with industry and utilities to plan for and build medium- and heavy-duty charging infrastructure. They can also collaborate to support good locations for charging infrastructure for trucks.
Assistance for fleet transition
To reduce emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to levels consistent with Oregon’s climate and energy goals, a transition to zero emission technologies including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles will be necessary.
The state could establish statewide technical assistance to help commercial and public medium- and heavy-duty fleets transition to electric vehicles.
One example is the new Oregon Electric Fleet Network, a collaborative forum designed to connect fleet operators with one another and with state agencies to address the practical challenges associated with transitioning to electric vehicles.
In the near-term, renewable diesel offers one of the most promising opportunities to reduce emissions from the existing diesel fleet. For actions on this strategy see our Lower Emission Fuels page.