Powering America’s Commercial Transportation (PACT) and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate charging infrastructure deployment for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (MHDVs). The partnership will focus on ensuring grid readiness and establishing best practices for affordable and efficient infrastructure expansion, supporting the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy and aligning with federal and state zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) goals.
PACT and EEI plan to advance grid readiness across regions, enabling manufacturers and fleet operators to meet regulatory requirements for ZEVs. This collaboration will prioritize efficient energization, accurate demand estimation, and streamlined processes to reduce deployment timelines and costs.
“PACT’s partnership with the Edison Electric Institute is an important and much-needed step toward unlocking the benefits of a commercial zero-emission vehicle future,” said Aravind Kailas, Advanced Technology Policy Director at Volvo Group North America. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders like manufacturers, fleet operators, and utilities.
EEI’s Senior Vice President of Customer Solutions, Phil Dion, noted the growing role of electric companies in serving MHDV fleets, saying, “We are proud to join forces with PACT to ensure their seamless integration with the energy grid in a cost-effective and reasonable manner.” Dion stressed that inter-industry collaboration is essential for preparing the grid for the transition to electric commercial transportation.
PACT has also teamed up with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to advance policies for expedited and affordable grid infrastructure. Max Baumhefner, Director of EV Infrastructure at NRDC, commented, “We’re glad they’ve joined together to build the infrastructure needed to meet our clean air goals. It’s the job at hand.”
