Congress Urged to Support Private Alternatives Investment


   
   OAKHURST, N.J. (DTN) --- The right policy framework and incentive structure 
will advance the market for alternative fuels, including electricity, while 
lowering carbon emissions for transporting energy, a representative of the 
truck stop, travel plaza, and fuel retailing industry testified today before 
the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

   Kim Okafor, general manager of Zero Emission Solutions for Love's Travel 
Stops and Trillium Energy, testified that a consumer-oriented approach is the 
best way to encourage the market to gravitate to lower carbon fuel options 
while also enhancing fueling options for consumers.

   "The refueling experience for alternative fuels should be as similar as 
possible to today's refueling experience and offer the services and amenities 
that consumers have come to expect alongside such a network, including 24-hour 
access, foodservice, security, restrooms and lighting," Okafor testified. "Fuel 
retailers are best positioned to provide alternative sources of transportation 
energy because we have a keen understanding of on-the-go refueling preferences 
based on decades of studying them. This fact is essential when it comes to 
adoption of EVs or other alternative fuel vehicles."

   Okafor testified on behalf of NATSO, representing truck stops and travel 
centers, and SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers, at the hearing examining 
fleet electrification policies. NATSO and SIGMA, which represent approximately 
80% of fuel sold at retail, support policies that incentivize fuel retailers to 
invest in alternative fuels.

   "For any solution to work, it must promote competitive market dynamics and 
work with consumers' exiting behavior and the business infrastructure we have," 
Okafor continued. "If policy does that and ensures a functioning private 
market, then private dollars will make sure infrastructure is there to meet 
consumers' needs. If that is not done, it is likely that any public dollars 
spent will be stranded and wasted in ways that do not serve an appreciable 
number of consumers and cost far more than any benefit they produce."

   The industry is actively participating in the National Electric Vehicle 
Infrastructure grant program in almost every state and more than half of all EV 
charging stations under the NEVI grant program are set to be constructed at 
truck stops, travel centers, and other fuel retailers. Incentivizing fuel 
retailers and their nationwide network to offer more alternative fuels while 
providing consumers with the ongoing, positive refueling experience they expect 
will facilitate a faster, more widespread transition to electric vehicle 
charging.

   Okafor testified that changes to the transportation energy market must work 
for the American consumer to be viable. Electric vehicle drivers expect a 
seamless and predictable experience like their current refueling experience, 
which includes affordable, competitive prices and safe, accessible amenities.

   Additionally, Okafor testified that hydrogen represents a more compelling 
emissions reduction technology than electricity for heavy-duty trucking. 
Hydrogen can leverage the existing refueling infrastructure and energy supply 
chain while providing the same refueling experience as liquid fuels.

   Okafor cautioned that market challenges continue to undermine the private 
sector's ability to profitably invest in electric vehicle charging stations. 
Specifically, Okafor underscored the need for competitive, transparent 
electricity pricing to ensure that every business pays the same electricity 
rate to support their EV charging stations. The Federal Highway Administration 
also must harmonize state application standards under the NEVI grant program to 
ensure that consumers' charging experiences are consistent from state to state.




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