GMA Insights | Key Takeaways from GMA Trucking’s New White Paper

For the latest edition of GMA Insights, we’re taking a look at a new white paper released just this week, “Accelerating Momentum for Zero-Emission Trucking: Lessons Learned from GMA Trucking’s Pilot Procurement.” Assembled by the GMA Trucking program team, it offers a detailed examination of the market challenges GMA Trucking seeks to address, the critical role of demand aggregation and book and claim in addressing those challenges, and key findings from GMA Trucking’s recently concluded pilot procurement that will deploy 40 new battery electric trucks in the state of Texas.

The white paper, available for download here, includes an exploration of lessons learned that can be applied to future efforts, describing the pilot procurement as “an invaluable opportunity to explore the real-world dynamics of the zero-emission trucking market” and “a test case to identify friction points, gather actionable data, and understand the values, priorities, and constraints of different stakeholders.” A summary of insights follows.

Lessons Learned on the Benefits of Book and Claim and Demand Aggregation for the Zero Emission Trucking Market

2. 1. Book and claim incentivizes and enables increased truck utilization above typical, current battery electric vehicle (BEV) usage, significantly reducing costs per mile.
3. 2. Increased demand, aided by the flexibility of book and claim, can enable charger maximization and optimization, spreading CAPEX across more trucks and decreasing service costs.
4. 3. Book and claim allows longer contract periods and the ability to spread costs over an extended time horizon with increased assurance of charger and truck utilization, leading to a reduction in overall project costs and increased bankability.
5. 4. Innovative contract structures with tiered pricing of attributes reduces risk exposure, ensures high-integrity outcomes, and aligns incentives across parties.
6. 5. A single entity facilitating alignment on key terms such as the criteria for high-integrity zero emission trucking certificates (ZETC), minimizes administrative burden when multiple parties are signing contracts.

Additional resources:

• Press release: First Ever GMA Trucking Procurement Brings Together Leading Companies to Enable Largest Known Deployment of Class 8 Battery Electric Trucks in Texas
• Webinar and Q&A: Webinar Q&A | GMA Trucking’s Pilot Procurement: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
• Frequently Asked Questions, including definitions of often-used terms like book and claim and demand aggregation

Interested in getting involved with GMA Trucking? Email trucking@gmacenter.org to get started.