California leaders host Battery-Swap Electric Truck Forum to explore new opportunities to decarbonize transportation

DAVIS, CA – Continuing California’s bi-lateral efforts with China to decarbonize transportation, yesterday the California State Transportation Agency, the California Energy Commission, and the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies hosted the California Battery-Swap Electric Truck Forum at UC Davis.  This day-long forum brought together leaders of Chinese companies that use battery-swapping trucks, researchers studying opportunities for battery swapping in the United States, and stakeholders to discuss the potential benefits and challenges of developing and implementing battery-swap technology in California.

Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s historic October 2023 trip to China, the State of California and China have been actively exchanging information on best practices in key climate-related sectors including clean transportation. Several California delegations have visited China to meet with officials, tour relevant sites, and strengthen relationships in recent years.

Featured speakers, including CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin, CEC Commissioner Patty Monahan, and Liguo Li, the Secretary-General of the China Battery Swapping Heavy-Duty Truck Alliance, participated in panel sessions focused on the history of battery swap technology adoption in China as well as heavy-duty truck electrification in California today and potential future scenarios. Discussions addressed the barriers and opportunities for heavy-duty battery swapping in California and explored how to design a successful battery swap pilot program in the state.

“There is no ceiling when it comes to California’s innovative climate action strategies. We continue to leverage key partnerships to help reach our aggressive climate goals,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Battery-swapping technology aligns with California’s commitment to decarbonize the transportation sector, and we appreciate China’s knowledge-sharing in this groundbreaking area.”

“Climate change is a worldwide issue, and international collaboration is key to finding solutions that benefit us all,” said CEC Commissioner Patty Monahan.  “This was a great opportunity to share lessons learned and see how innovative approaches like battery swapping can help eliminate transportation emissions affecting China and California in the heavy-duty sector.”

“The California Battery Swap Truck Forum brought together China’s most knowledgeable battery swapping truck practitioner and academic researcher with California stakeholders,” said UC Davis China Center for Energy and Transportation Director Yunshi Wang. “This business practice has the potential to be a practical and promising solution to the adoption of ZEV heavy duty trucks in California.”

ZEV deployment is a natural area of collaboration between California and China. In its pursuit of meeting climate, economic development, and energy security goals, China has emerged as a world leader in the development and deployment of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Likewise, through strong policy and regulations, investment in infrastructure, and support for private sector innovation, California has become a leading market for ZEVs. A shared challenge is the heavy-duty truck sector, which is a major contributor to atmospheric pollution, and impacts communities along freight corridors. To address these challenges, California has led the way in adopting regulations requiring a transition to zero-emission light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks by the mid-2030s.

China’s government has invested heavily in ZEV truck and infrastructure deployment. Last year, 35,000 heavy-duty (class 7 and 8 equivalent) zero-emission trucks were sold in China, while fewer than 1,000 were sold in California. Roughly half of the zero-emission trucks sold in China use ‘battery-swap’ technology, which allows trucks to quickly exchange a depleted battery pack for a fully charged one. Meanwhile, in California and the United States, battery-swapping technology has not been widely adopted and is not currently being commercialized by major truck manufacturers.

Engagement efforts like the California Battery-Swap Electric Truck Forum provide opportunities for shared learning and collaborative action vital to achieving the state’s climate goals.

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