Posted on November 15, 2023
Dive Brief:
- The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach will offer $60 million in vouchers to help companies acquire zero-emission Class 8 drayage trucks that operate in the San Pedro Bay ports complex.
- The move comes ahead of California’s new truck emissions rules, which take effect Jan. 1, that require any new trucks hauling cargo at the San Pedro Bay ports be zero emission.
- Californiahvip.org will begin accepting applications at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Dive Insight:
Each port is providing $30 million through the Clean Truck Fund Rate, which collects $10 per 20-foot equivalent unit from cargo owners on loaded containers entering and exiting the port complex. The rate is part of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan’s goal of 100% zero-emission drayage trucks by 2035.
The voucher program uses the HVIP application process to provide funds for eligible zero-emission truck purchases servicing the port complex, according to the port’s press release.
Vouchers through the ports will fund $100,000 per truck for fleets with 10 or fewer trucks, and $75,000 for fleets with more than 10 trucks. This is in addition to the HVIP drayage voucher amount of $150,000 per truck and any other applicable HVIP voucher enhancements.
The highest potential voucher amount is $250,000 per truck, according to the port. Funding should cover the costs of purchasing up to 800 new zero-emission trucks.
The Port of Los Angeles operates 1,926 pieces of cargo-handling equipment.
While the ports make funding available to transition trucks, California’s new truck emission rules are facing legal challenges. The California Trucking Association filed a lawsuit, which has been backed by the American Trucking Associations, against the new regulations.
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said in a statement that the California Air Resources Board “has no clue the impact their timelines and targets will have on our economy.”
