At the crossroads of the West, where major interstates I-15 and I-80 intersect in the heart of Utah, drivers are sure to hear the roar of freight trucks and other diesel-powered vehicles rushing alongside them on the highways. These large vehicles delivering goods and services throughout Utah and beyond are a foundational part of the state’s economy and industry.
While essential to commerce, these vehicles also present challenges. They are among the largest contributors to air quality concerns along the Wasatch Front. Fuel prices fluctuate, and regular maintenance for heavy-duty trucks in particular is an ongoing expense. As fleet operators look ahead, many are exploring how emerging technologies, including electrification, might play a role in improving operations over time.
“We’re working closely with the Utah Electrification Initiative (UEI) to transition our diesel-powered fleet to battery electric buses,” says Caroline Rodriguez, Executive Director of High Valley Transit. “UEI’s modeling support has been instrumental in helping us evaluate this shift, giving us the data we need to understand the implications and plan effectively for the future.”
With modeling support, HVT has recently implemented a $16.2 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to incorporate 10 battery-electric buses into its operations. Alongside five depot chargers and two on-route chargers, HVT’s total number of electric buses is now up to 18.
What’s happening in Summit County isn’t an isolated incident. UEI’s modeling services are designed to support fleet operators across Utah as they explore the shift from diesel to electric.
Introducing UEI’s Fleet Modeling Tool
Led by a coalition of utility, agency, and university partners throughout the state, UEI has developed a custom fleet modeling tool, which provides data-informed insights for fleet operators interested in the potential benefits of fleet electrification. The effort is designed to help operators examine operational and financial implications of electrifying all or part of their fleets.
Participants receive a free personalized cost-benefit analysis and breakdown of electrification solutions in comparison with their diesel counterparts. The analysis uses anonymized telemetry data from fleets to create a tailored estimate of potential cost and performance outcomes for individual operations.
Participating fleet operators receive:
- A customized total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis based on their actual data
- Insight into existing and planned charging infrastructure to support route and investment planning
- Guidance on potential funding opportunities for vehicles or chargers
- Support for air quality or public health goals
- A breakdown of when and where it does not make sense to electrify fleet operations
For RC Willey, a Utah based business, UEI has already crafted a detailed model that helped the company understand cost scenarios and assess whether electrification could align with its delivery operations.
“Our modeling looks at start/stop times, GPS data, vehicle types, freight loads, and more,” explains Mike Masquelier, Interim Director of UEI. “The goal is to provide a realistic view of what electrification might mean for each individual fleet — including key financial indicators like total cost of ownership (TCO) and the net present value (NPV).”
This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. UEI’s modeling spans a wide range of fleet operations from short-haul local delivery to regional and long-haul transport, and reflects the operational realities of different segments of Utah’s freight industry.
A Coordinated Approach to Charging
Fleet electrification is complex. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks have demanding energy needs, diverse operational profiles, and relatively few electric vehicle options currently available. Charging infrastructure is still under development in many areas, and travel data often varies significantly from one fleet to another.
UEI helps navigate these challenges by not only offering fleet operators a personalized fleet modeling analysis, but also by supporting the development of shared charging infrastructure that converted fleets can use.
One major effort in this space is happening at ASPIRE, the NSF-funded research center at Utah State University. On track for approval is ASPIRE’s SUPERCHARGE project, which is set to design and build Utah’s first dedicated charging station for medium- and heavy-duty (MDHD) truck operations. The site will support regional freight operations with 12 megawatts of high-powered EV charging, capable of 9 megawatts of concurrent use. Advanced energy and fleet management will limit grid demand to under 4.5 megawatts by combining existing infrastructure with future-ready megawatt-class charging in a cost-effective design.
In tandem with ASPIRE, the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has officially received extensive backing from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve air quality in Utah. In close partnership with the Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ), the agencies are using the funding to convert diesel-powered vehicles and invest in charging infrastructure in Salt Lake City.
A coordinated approach to infrastructure and adoption across Utah’s commercial fleets can help ensure that investments in fleet conversions are well-timed, charging assets are well-utilized, and individual fleets are better positioned to plan effectively.
Looking Ahead
Fleet electrification depends on a system-wide understanding of routes, infrastructure, and operational needs. That’s why the Utah Electrification Initiative (UEI) continues to collaborate with fleet operators across the state to model realistic scenarios and support informed infrastructure planning. This work is strengthened by partnerships with organizations like Utah Clean Energy, the Utah Trucking Association, and the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) — each of which brings a unique network and expertise to the table.
Together, these organizations represent thousands of fleet operators, energy experts, and technology leaders working to accelerate electrified freight across Utah and beyond. NACFE, a respected nonprofit and member of ASPIRE’s Industry and Innovation Board, plays a particularly important role by conducting rigorous, independent research to evaluate and compare the performance, cost, and efficiency of emerging vehicle technologies. Their mission is to equip the freight industry with trusted, objective data — helping companies make smart, future-focused decisions.
NACFE’s involvement in UEI efforts has helped elevate the conversation locally and nationally. They’ve joined ASPIRE on public panels, including a joint presentation at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, where their shared message highlighted how meaningful innovation is both necessary and possible.
Their outreach will continue this Fall at the Fleet Electrification Workshop held this October at the Utah Trucking Association headquarters in West Valley. Attendees will be able to hear from experts from NACFE, ASPIRE, Utah Clean Energy, and others about fleet electrification opportunities, including the latest on programs and incentives. Registration for the event is now open.
Fleet operators interested in exploring electrification, whether now or in the future, are encouraged to attend the workshop and/or participate in UEI’s modeling effort. The modeling is free, personalized, and designed to help your business make confident, data-driven decisions. To learn how your fleet could benefit from custom analysis, infrastructure planning support, and connections to trusted partners across the state, contact Michael Masquelier, Interim Director of UEI, at michael.masquelier@usu.edu. UEI welcomes participation from fleets of all sizes and sectors.