Insights from Mark Gjerek, Founder and Director at MOV3MENT, attending ACT Expo 2025 in Anaheim California.
More than 12,000 attendees and over 200 advanced vehicles made the 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim the biggest yet. But for Australian fleet operators, government planners and technology providers, it wasn’t just the scale of the event that stood out – it was the learnings, the warnings, and the real-world examples that could guide Australia’s own decarbonisation journey.
Mark Gjerek, Founder and Director at MOV3MENT, attended ACT Expo for the first time. Across four days of conference sessions, product demos, and networking events, he gathered a wealth of insights tailored for the Australian market. Here are his key takeaways.
It’s Not Just About Regulation Anymore
One of the biggest surprises from ACT Expo was the shift in what’s driving zero-emission transport in the US. “Regulation may no longer be the main driver of zero tailpipe emissions,” Gjerek noted, adding that customer demand is becoming the leading force.
“Big freight customers (shippers) with ESG commitments are both the carrot and stick,” he said. These companies are willing to pay a 4–6% “green premium” to move freight with lower emissions. That kind of incentive is not yet widespread in Australia, but it signals how customer expectations are changing globally.
Scale, Incentives and Market Size Matter
A recurring theme was the role of scale. In the US, even relatively small fleets have access to affordable clean fuels like renewable natural gas (RNG) or biofuels, thanks to a well-developed policy environment and massive incentive programs. “TRC says there are still more than 600 state or local government programs… offering US\$13.5B in incentives,” Gjerek said. “Even small fleets can reduce emissions or transition to new energy.”
That level of support – and the 430,000 vehicles managed by companies like Penske – is a stark contrast to Australia’s fragmented and smaller market. Still, the message is clear: scale enables speed. Australia’s challenge is to find collaborative ways to aggregate demand and coordinate action.
Megawatt Curiosity, but Smarter Charging Needed First
EV infrastructure and battery charging were hot topics at the expo, particularly megawatt charging systems (MCS). Sessions were standing-room-only. But Gjerek highlighted a reality check from Geotab: “More than a third of truck charging sessions in the US begin with the battery already at 70% or higher.”
That insight points to a more immediate need – smarter charging behaviour and better scheduling – before jumping to the most extreme charging solutions.
Battery Concerns Are Overstated
Gjerek was reassured by conversations around battery life and disposal. “Battery disposal isn’t really an issue. There’s too much value in batteries,” he said. OEMs are leaning towards repair, refurbishment, repurposing and recycling. It’s a long-term opportunity, not a looming crisis.
One EV truck manufacturer, Harbinger, is even projecting 12–15 year lifespans with confidence that EV residual values will soon rival diesel.
There’s Still Fuel in Diesel – Efficiency Is Underrated
While the future may be electric, the US has shown there’s plenty of emissions reduction potential right now in diesel vehicles. “There’s a big opportunity for cost-effective fuel savings (\~25%) before electrification,” Gjerek said. “The US has been on this for decades. I say it’s barely begun in Australia – let’s go!”
In other words, electrification and efficiency are not either-or propositions. Fleets can and should pursue both.
Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and the Messy Middle
The buzzword of ACT Expo 2025 was “software-defined vehicle” (SDV), but there was little agreement on what that really means. For Australia, the takeaway is to define it carefully and clearly before it becomes another vague trend.
Gjerek also flagged a growing interest in the “messy middle” – a term championed by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) to describe the transition period where a mix of fuels and technologies will coexist. He joined a breakfast session with NACFE and noted the relevance for Australian fleets navigating this complex phase.
Australia Is Already Competitive – With the Right Conditions
A highlight for Gjerek was seeing fellow Aussie Bo Christensen from Toll Logistics present a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis of the Windrose semi-truck on regional Australian routes. The conclusion? Diesel parity is already possible. “It just highlights a point we’ve been making to clients for years now – TCO is highly dependent on traditional vs new brands,” Gjerek said.
Collaboration Is the Missing Link
To make all of this work – whether charging infrastructure or alternative fuels – collaboration is essential. “Electrifying major freight corridors with charging hubs is essential but real collaboration is needed between shippers, fleets, utilities and site owners,” Gjerek observed.
Some US companies are already showing how it’s done. WattEV isn’t just building chargers – they’re renting trucks and securing freight loads to help fleets close the TCO gap. “Just bring the driver!” was the pitch.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Practical, Avoid the Politics
ACT Expo ended with a reminder that fleets, OEMs, and fuel providers are more interested in certainty than ideology. “They don’t want to get into politics, they just want policy stability,” Gjerek said. As one panellist put it: “Truck OEMs will bring the tools for the rules, energy companies will bring the fuels for the rules, and fleets just want fewer rules.”
For Australia, the message is clear: customer expectations are rising, the technology is moving fast, and policy settings need to keep pace without getting bogged down in politics.
Gjerek and MOV3MENT will continue supporting Australian fleets in navigating this rapidly evolving space. As a signatory to the global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, MOV3MENT is helping bring global insights home – and turning lessons from Anaheim into action on Australian roads.
