Agenda
Accelerating the transition to electric trucks
Date: Monday, 11th March 2024
Format: Virtual panel discussion
Duration: 1 hour
Moderator:
- Walter Rentzsch, Director, Roland Berger
Panel:
- Peter Dow, VP of Engineering, REE Automotive
- Geoff Rigg, President, Dennis Eagle
- Jed Routh, Director of Markets, North America, Kempower
Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) are a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, and electrifying them could significantly reduce emissions from the transportation sector. However, stakeholders must overcome numerous challenges before adoption becomes widespread.
- What are the economic and environmental benefits of electrifying MHDVs?
- What are the main challenges to electrifying MHDV fleets?
- How can we design and deploy cost-effective electric MHDVs that meet the needs of fleet operators?
- How can we develop charging infrastructure for MHDVs that is convenient and accessible for fleet operators?
The future of electric truck charging
Date: Tuesday, 12th March 2024
Format: Virtual panel discussion
Duration: 1 hour
Moderator:
- Erin Sowerby, Principal, Roland Berger
Panel:
- Jackie Piero, Head of Policy and Regulation, Mobility House
- Peter Cohen, Senior Director – Business Development, TeraWatt Infrastructure
- Jason Gies, Lead – Global OEMs and North American Fleet Solutions, ABB
Although still in its infancy, the market for electric trucks in North America is growing. However, with limited battery range and lack of a suitable charging infrastructure still a significant challenge, advances in these areas are critical if the shift to zero-emission trucking is to gather pace.
- What are the different charging scenarios faced by electric truck fleets?
- What is the status of electric truck charging infrastructure in North America?
- Which charging technologies and solutions are most likely to drive the widespread adoption of electric trucks?
- What are the biggest challenges to electric truck charging innovation, and how can they be overcome?
Decarbonizing road freight with electric trailers
Date: Wednesday, 13th March 2024
Format: Virtual panel discussion
Duration: 1 hour
Moderator:
- Bernhard Weissensteiner, Principal, Roland Berger
Panel:
- Ali Javidan, CEO, Range Energy
- Abdullah Jaber, CEO, Trailer Dynamics
- Martin van Willigen, CEO, Econogy
Powertrain technology is, not surprisingly, at the heart of all heavy truck decarbonization strategies. However, innovative trailer technologies are gaining traction that can accelerate the transition to more sustainable trucking by reducing diesel consumption and extending the range of electric trucks.
- What is an electric trailer, and how does it enable more sustainable and efficient road freight?
- What is the overall impact on the environment of using an electric trailer?
- What is the status of real-world electric trailer adoption, and how will it evolve over the next decade?
- What are the main challenges to electric trailer adoption, and how can they be overcome?
The fuel cell route to zero-emission road freight
Date: Thursday, 14th March 2024
Format: Virtual panel discussion
Duration: 1 hour
Moderator:
- Bob Zabors, Senior Partner, Roland Berger
Panel:
- Kelly Ratchinsky, Technical Project Manager, Hydrogen Infrastructure, CALSTART – Drive to Zero
- David Thackray, Strategic Relations Officer, Tevva Motors
- Chetna Negi, Business Development Manager – Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies – Truck Segment, Accelera by Cummins
In the quest to reduce and even eliminate road freight emissions, fuel cells are lagging behind battery-electric solutions as the leading technology. However, fuel cell technology is slowly gaining traction, especially in applications where the limited range of electric trucks is a problem.
- What is the current status of fuel cell truck deployment in North America, and how will it evolve?
- How does the fuel cell truck compare with its ICE and BEV counterparts regarding TCO and performance?
- For which applications are fuel cell trucks most suited?
- What are the main barriers facing the fuel cell truck, and how can they be overcome?
AI and the future of trucking
Date: Friday, 15th March 2024
Format: Virtual panel discussion
Duration: 1 hour
Moderator:
- Wilfried Aulbur, Senior Partner, Roland Berger
Panel:
- Michael Wiesinger, VP of Commercialization & GM of Transportation Sector, Kodiak
- Daniel Majweski, Head of Strategy R&D and System Solutions, ZF
- Jeff Farrah, CEO, Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA)
Artificial intelligence (AI) looks set to play a pivotal role in the evolution of the trucking industry, with applications including vehicle safety and autonomous driving, logistics and route planning, predictive maintenance, and supply chain management. Therefore, truckmakers and their suppliers must fully embrace AI and make it a pillar of their strategies to avoid being left behind.
- What are the most promising applications of AI in the trucking industry?
- Are there examples of AI already being deployed to overcome road freight challenges?
- How will the use of AI in trucking evolve over the next decade and beyond?
- Who is responsible for regulating AI in the trucking sector?
Knowledge Partners
Accelera™ by Cummins
Accelera™ by Cummins provides a diverse portfolio of zero-emission solutions for the world’s most economically vital industries, empowering them to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. Accelera, a business segment of Cummins Inc., is both a components supplier and integrator, focused on batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, e-axles, traction drive and electrolyzers. Accelera currently has operations in North America, across Europe and in China.
Visit the Accelera™ by Cummins website
Roland Berger
Roland Berger, founded in 1967, is the only leading global consultancy of German heritage and European origin. With 2,400 employees working from 35 countries, we have successful operations in all major international markets.
Our 52 offices are located in the key global business hubs. The consultancy is an independent partnership owned exclusively by 230 Partners.
