Strengthening charging infrastructure and public-private collaboration are necessary for the growth of electrification in freight transport, according to Bali Express Service.
Juan Báez, its CEO, explained that in its transition to a zero-emissions company, it became the first company to complete the cross-border crossing with an electric Class 8 truck in April 2024.
“This was driven by the need for innovation and to provide customers with a different, premium, and higher-quality service. If these units are managed with efficient logistics, they can be very productive,” he said.
He announced that they expect to complete the project this year with 62 natural gas trucks and 31 electric trucks. “Those are the plans, and orders have already been placed with suppliers in the region. We are working with the California government to obtain subsidies, which are essential for acquiring the units due to their high cost.”
He said the company has a dual charger in its Tijuana yards , while in San Diego, construction of its own charging station will begin in May.
“The support of government institutions is essential to promoting this type of technology within transportation companies in Mexico,” he said during his participation in the Energy Efficiency Forum in Multimodal Transportation.
He explained that among the benefits they’ve experienced from using electric equipment are lower maintenance costs, efficient logistics, less noise pollution, and access to government assistance in California of up to 70% of the truck’s value.
José Manuel García, general manager of Bali Express Service, mentioned that as one of the pioneers in this technology, they have hired consulting firms to understand its operation , costs, performance, among other topics.
He indicated that they currently use Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks , which have similar characteristics, such as last-mile efficiency and short distances, to name a few.
“California is the state that has most supported and promoted clean energy. While there is a network of charging stations, it’s still not sufficient for long-distance travel by heavy-duty Class 8 trucks. One of the challenges is the charging infrastructure in Mexico; that will be essential to continue these electromobility projects in the country,” he said.
He added that other challenges in recharging energy include Mexico’s limited infrastructure, as well as the cost of the unit itself. Diesel trucks have a return on investment of three years, while electric trucks take more than five years, “hence the importance of support.”
He mentioned that more chargers are also needed to increase competition, since, for example, the cost of an electric mile is one dollar, while a diesel mile is around 50 cents, although the cost of preventative maintenance is 25 or 30 cents per mile.
However, he indicated that there are factors that impact the efficiency of the electric vehicle, such as extreme weather , weight, and particularly driving. “We have to train our operators. The technology is different; it depends on maintaining a certain speed, not revving the truck, and braking.”
Meanwhile, Báez stated that despite changes in regulations or policies regarding the zero-emission transition in the United States, the company’s vision will continue to be a 100% sustainable company by 2040.
“The goal was 2035, but we may not do it in such an aggressive manner because the laws require it. However, Bali’s commitment is to replace diesel units with clean units year after year, perhaps not by 2035, but by 2040,” he indicated.
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