The city of Long Beach and local business owners are preparing for zero emissions, much earlier than the 2035 goal

Long Beach, California – The Clean Air Action Plan has a target year of 2035 for reaching zero emissions, but on Tuesday, the Port of Long Beach and its industry partners demonstrated how one port trucking company plans to convert to a full zero-emissions trucking fleet three years from now. This is a full decade before the Clean Air Action Plan’s goal.

The announcement took place at 4 Gen Logistics at the Port of Long Beach, which is where Electrify America will build sixty public charging stations by the end of 2023. These charging stations will service not only Electrify America’s fleet of electric trucks, but also the fleets of other enterprises. In addition, 4 Gen will buy 41 electric heavy-duty trucks manufactured by Volvo and 20 electric heavy-duty trucks manufactured by Kenworth. Eventually, the company wants to have a fleet of 100 vehicles with zero emissions. In addition to that, the location that 4 Gen is using in Rialto will have thirty charging stations. An event was held to celebrate the company’s plans, and attendees included Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, officials from the Port of Long Beach, as well as representatives from Volvo, Kenworth, Electrify America, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the California Air Resources Board, and CALSTART.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, while standing next to a model charging station and zero-emissions, heavy-duty electric trucks, mentioned that the transition to cleaner trucks at the nation’s largest seaport complex will be supported by the Clean Truck Fund rate, which is anticipated to generate $90 million in its first year, or $45 million each for the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles. Garcia made his remarks while standing next to a model charging station and zero-emissions, heavy-duty electric trucks.

“The Clean Truck Fund rate has been an enormous step forward as we transition to a zero-emissions trucking fleet by 2035,” Garcia said. “[T]he Clean Truck Fund rate has been an enormous step forward.” “It’s fantastic to see this kind of real zero-emission technology put into operation at our Port and assist improve air quality across our entire region,” said the port’s general manager.

Mario Cordero, the Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, commented on the progress that has been made by the Port in its effort to achieve zero emissions. For instance, approximately $70 million in grant funding has been secured to support $150 million in demonstration projects. These projects are deploying zero-emissions and near zero-emissions cargo handling equipment and trucks at the terminals of the Port of Long Beach and on the roads of Southern California. Moreover, the Port of Long Beach has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2050.

Cordero stated that “together, let’s reform this business and show the world it’s possible to eliminate the emissions that are affecting health and heating up the planet.” “Let’s show the world it’s possible to eliminate the emissions that are damaging health and heating up the planet.” “And let us demonstrate the way for others.”

According to the President of the Long Beach Harbor Commission, Sharon L. Weissman, “We are continuing a goal that was launched by the Harbor Commission and Port staff in 2005, when the Green Port Policy was approved.” “Zero emissions are the way of the future, and along with partners like 4 Gen Logistics, Electrify America, Volvo, and Kenworth, we are going to lead the industry there.”

The objective of achieving zero emissions from drayage trucks by the year 2035 has been set as an industry-leading target by the Port of Long Beach. The date of April 1, 2022 marked the beginning of the collection period for the Clean Truck Fund rate. The owners of the cargo are responsible for paying drayage fees that can go up to $20 per loaded container that is transported into or out of a container terminal. Loaded containers that are transported by zero-emissions trucks or, in some circumstances, low-nitrogen oxide trucks are eligible for a rate exemption. This exemption is not available for other types of trucks. The CTF fee must be paid by the owners of the cargo or their authorized representatives, and the tariff for each port includes a provision that prohibits the payment of the CTF charge by drayage trucks or operators.

Since the initial Clean Truck programs were initiated in 2008, the San Pedro Bay ports have made significant progress in terms of improving the quality of the air around them by phasing out older, more polluting vehicles. In comparison to the levels seen in 2005, diesel emissions from trucks have been reduced by as much as 97%.

Visit www.polb.com/environment to gain further knowledge regarding the environmental programs offered by the Port of Long Beach.

The Port of Long Beach is recognized as one of the most important seaports in the world. It serves as a hub for trans­-Pacific trade and is a leader in the transportation of commodities as well as environmental stewardship. The Port of Long Beach processes an annual volume of trade worth $200 billion and is responsible for the maintenance of more than 575,000 jobs in Southern California. The Port is connected to 217 seaports via 175 shipping lines.