Oakland, Calif. – July 19, 2021: The Port of Oakland and its logistics partners launched a battery electric truck demonstration project this month on its path to zero emissions at the Oakland Seaport. The Port debuted ten new battery electric trucks at Shippers Transport Express (STE), a Port-based trucking operation. The Peterbilt trucks cost a total of $5.1 million and are used to haul cargo within the Port’s maritime area. Funding for the trucks comes from a ZANZEFF grant (Zero And Near-Zero-Emission Freight Facility program).
“Getting these cleaner-running and quieter trucks into service is a major step in testing the feasibility of battery electric trucks moving containers,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. The demonstration project will take approximately three months.
The Port of Oakland invested $1.7 million to construct 10 electric charging stations at STE. The Port also built a new electrical substation and power line extension to connect to the charging stations. These construction projects took about two years to complete and advance the Port’s plan for reducing emissions from Oakland Seaport sources.
The Port’s monetary and construction commitments served as a grant funding match for the electric truck demonstration project. Additionally, this project is a “Near Term Action” in the Port of Oakland’s Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan.
“We’re grateful to the California Air Resources Board for funding electric drayage trucks at the Oakland Seaport,” said Port of Oakland Director of Environmental Programs and Planning Richard Sinkoff. “Demonstration projects help us toward our goal of a zero-emissions seaport.”
This battery electric truck demonstration project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It expands options for another clean, cargo-handling technology at California ports.
The vehicles’ trips will be within the Port of Oakland. The data collected will include emissions reductions measurements. The trucks will also be monitored for how effectively they operate when hauling fully loaded containers.
Currently, 17 battery electric trucks are in operation at the Port of Oakland. Presently, use of these drayage trucks are limited to short distances and lighter cargo loads because of range and highway weight limitations.
Background:
- In 2018, three California ports turned concepts for cleaner air to action. The idea is to demonstrate/test brand new, zero and near-zero emission technology and create a model for the clean seaport of the future. The information will be shared with other ports in the U.S. and around the world.
- The Ports of Long Beach, Oakland and Stockton secured funds from the California Air Resources Board and partnered with innovative technology companies to demonstrate the recent technology targeting reducing emissions in an industrial setting.
- In January 2019, the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Long Beach about the ZANZEFF grant and committed to construct electrical charging infrastructure at STE for electric drayage trucks.
Past drayage truck emissions reductions at Port of Oakland:
- Retrofitted trucks with diesel particulate filters to cut diesel emissions by more than 85% (2005 baseline)
- Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) filter was verified by California Air Resources Board to reduce a truck’s diesel emissions by at least 85%
- Also replaced older trucks with newer ones that cut diesel emissions by more than 85%
- Diesel emissions from trucks serving the Port of Oakland declined 98 percent between 2005 and 2017
- Path forward to zero emissions
- The Port of Oakland Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan is the Port’s plan for achieving its vision of a zero-emissions seaport through changes in equipment, operations, fuels, and infrastructure
- Technology changes, including advances in batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, are creating the potential for zero-emissions equipment and operations in the goods movement industry
- Government funding, affordability and feasibility (does the evolving technology work?), are critical for success in addressing long-term air quality planning; maritime business must be able to grow to generate jobs and deliver positive economic impact, which are also vital to public health
- Demonstration projects are a crucial part of the pathway to zero emissions
About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square. The Port’s 5-year strategic plan – Growth with Care – pairs business expansion with community benefits, envisioning more jobs and economic stimulus as the Port grows. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 84,000 jobs. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.
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