Port of Long Beach, Goes Green with Electric Trucks

A $31.3 million fleet of 20 heavy-duty zero-emission electric trucks will be developed by Daimler, the world’s largest manufacturer of big rigs, and deployed at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles in a pilot project officials said is one of the largest such transportation initiatives under way at the ports complex.

“This is something we are supporting as part of our goal to develop zero-emission on road trucks,” said Chris Cannon, director of environmental management for the Port of Los Angeles. “It’s part of the Clean Air Action Plan the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have committed to since 2005.”

“Our goal is to have all of the drayage trucks that service the ports to be zero emission by 2035,” he added. “It’s going to be happening very soon.”

The Clean Trucks Program component of the larger action plan has reduced air pollution from harbor trucks by more than 90 percent in a little over three years, according to the Port of LA website.

The $15.67 million contract for what’s known as the Daimler Zero Emission Trucks and EV Infrastructure Project will develop the 20 trucks that will be used in “real-world commercial fleet operations” to gather data for the “commercial production and sales phase,” according to the AQMD staff report for the agenda item.

The two Daimler truck models to be developed will generate between 220 and 445 horsepower capable of hauling loads between 26,000 and 80,000 pounds and have a 150 mile to 200 mile service range.

The deployment of the electric trucks is likely several years away, Cannon said.

Fast-charging stalls will be installed capable of recharging the electric trucks up to 80 percent in between two and three hours.

Daimler will pay about half the cost of the program with the AQMD contributing about $8.7 million, the State Emissions Mitigation Fund kicking in $4.4 million, the ports adding another $1 million apiece and the Environmental Protection Agency $500,000.

Category: General Update, Green, News