The Ray, a nonprofit testbed for sustainable transportation, has announced a fleet electrification study to analyze the movement patterns of medium- and heavy-duty freight vehicles on select American interstates and highways. Using data provided by Geotab, The Ray will be able to determine the optimal locations and design for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and help make EVs more accessible.

The analysis performed by The Ray will begin with two pilot corridors: one regional along I-20 from Dallas, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, and the other local, from the Port of Savannah, Georgia, to the inland port in Atlanta, Georgia. Geotab will develop and provide data visualization tools, such as graphs and heat maps, allowing The Ray to easily dial into the analysis and leverage telematics-rich data insights to determine the most strategic locations to build medium- and heavy-duty charging infrastructure along the two corridors. The data will also help The Ray better understand where and what type of additional truck parking is needed for electric vehicles.

“The data provided by Geotab gives The Ray access to fleet movement data, as an overlay for our Esri Row solar mapping tool, to prepare for the planning of EV charging infrastructure sites and medium/high-voltage direct current transmission and distribution grid upgrades with our public and private partners," said Allie Kelly, The Ray’s executive director.

The Ray will also use the Geotab data to determine the land size needed to support medium- and heavy-duty EV charging, optimize charging schedules, and create EV charging locations as close to the corridor as possible, to help increase efficiency while on the road and minimize miles driven. Improving charging infrastructure helps make electric vehicles more efficient and affordable. These advancements in EV charging infrastructure will then act as the foundation for The Ray’s ultimate goal - the development of EV charging lanes to charge as the vehicle is still in motion.