California’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation requires sales of zero-emission tractor-trailer trucks starting in 2024, increasing to 30% by 2030. Since most of these trucks will travel predominantly on the state’s major highways, a robust network of battery charging infrastructure will be needed along these routes. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) maintains an extensive series of roadside rest areas throughout the state that are widely used by long-haul trucks. Providing charging at roadside rest areas, especially those along interstate highways, could help meet the needs of battery-electric tractortrailer trucks making multi-day trips. Thus, Caltrans should consider becoming involved with the establishment of battery charging facilities at its rest areas.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis assessed the possibilities for and barriers to providing charging infrastructure for heavy-duty, long-haul trucks at rest areas in California. This policy brief summarizes the findings from that research and provides policy implications.