Sustainable Shift: Analyzing Drivers for Low-Carbon Transportation Adoption in California’s Heavy-Duty and Off-Road Sectors

Abstract

The transportation sector stands out as a major challenge for California’s transition to a more sustainable transportation system, as it accounts for most of the greenhouse gas emissions. This underscores the urgency for government agencies to take decisive action in promoting the adoption of low-carbon transportation (LCT) within the heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) and off-road equipment (ORE) sectors. This study employs content analysis to investigate the impact of behavioral factors, specifically awareness and impression, on LCT adoption within these sectors. The analysis results are refined using a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool. The results indicate that awareness about LCT, in conjunction with factors such as government incentives and environmental considerations, positively influences the likelihood of adopting LCT. Moreover, the findings highlight the significant impact of financial barriers on small-fleet organizations, reflecting the inherent challenges these entities may encounter in adapting to significant changes. Conversely, technical barriers are particularly notable for adopters and larger organizations. These insights provide valuable guidance for government agencies to develop targeted strategies, including mandates and incentives, tailored to the specific needs of organizations within the HDV and ORE sectors. By addressing these barriers and fostering a supportive environment for sustainable practices, policymakers can accelerate California’s transition toward a greener transportation landscape.

Electrifying Freight: Modeling the Decision-Making Process for Battery Electric Truck Procurement

“…• The disparity in the number of charging stations and gas stations [10][11][12][13]20]; • The service maintenance quality specific to BETs [7,22,26];…”

“…• The clarity and effectiveness of legislation relevant to BETs [7,11,12,20]. These four factors were unanimously approved to be included in the model as significant barriers, with no additional barriers suggested for inclusion.…”

“…Initial Investment Cost: The literature consistently identifies the high initial investment cost associated with EFVs as the principal impediment to their broader adoption [7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

“…Long-Term Investment and Uncertainty: The purchasing of BETs is recognized as a long-term investment decision fraught with uncertainty. Despite the strategies and targets set by governments, carriers seek more concrete roadmaps and official legislative guidance to mitigate the risks associated with transitioning to BETs [7,11,12,20].…”

The Influence of Financial Indicators on Vietnamese Enterprise’s Sustainability Reports Disclosing Process

“…By investigating this relationship, the research seeks to answer fundamental questions about the interplay between financial performance and sustainability disclosures in the Vietnamese context. Ultimately, this research endeavors to shed light on the factors driving sustainability reporting in Vietnam and contribute to the broader understanding of corporate disclosure practices (Chen et al 2024;Chowdhury et al 2024;Dahinine et al 2024;Deng et al 2024). In today's era, the phrase "Sustainable Development" appears more and more in the annual reports of businesses around the world, and they increasingly focus on the transparent disclosure of non-financial information, like the impact of business activities on society and the environment, instead of just paying attention to economic efficiency.…”