The state of California is awarding $23.6 million to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) – the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties – for a statewide, zero-emission drayage truck development and demonstration project.
According to SCAQMD, the funds, which are from the California Climate Investments program, will reduce key criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases, petroleum usage and toxic pollution. The funding is also designed to accelerate the commercialization of heavy-duty advanced, zero-emission technologies.
SCAQMD is teaming up with air districts in the Bay Area, Sacramento, San Diego and San Joaquin Valley to demonstrate 43 zero-emission battery electric and plug-in hybrid drayage trucks serving major California ports. Demonstration trucks and charging infrastructure will be used in all five air districts, the agency says.
“This project will help put the very cleanest short-haul trucks to work where they are needed most, moving cargo from the state’s biggest ports to distribution centers and rail yards,” says California Air Resources Board Chair Mary D. Nichols.
“This unique, collaborative effort will accelerate the commercialization of advanced zero-emission truck technologies that are vital to improving air quality in communities near our busy freight corridors,” says Joe Buscaino, Los Angeles City Councilman and SCAQMD board member.
SCAQMD says that this is the first large-scale demonstration of zero-emission Class 8 trucks involving major manufacturers, including BYD, Kenworth, Peterbilt and Volvo.
