Study evaluates state of technology, incorporates stakeholder feedback

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have released a final report on the current state and overall feasibility of using clean, heavy-duty drayage truck technology throughout the San Pedro Bay port complex.

The Final 2021 Feasibility Assessment for Drayage Trucks can be downloaded from the Clean Air Action Plan website, cleanairactionplan.org/strategies/trucks.

The ports released a draft assessment in August 2022 for public review and comment. The 2021 assessment builds upon the inaugural 2018 assessment and examines the current state of technology, operational characteristics, economic considerations, infrastructure availability and commercial readiness related to zero-emissions (ZE) and low-emissions drayage trucks. The final report addresses feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders.

The 2017 CAAP Update established goals of ZE drayage trucks by 2035 and ZE terminal equipment by 2030. As part of this strategy, the ports committed to developing feasibility assessments every three years to inform a joint approach to meeting those goals.

The ports are working to accelerate the adoption and transition to ZE technologies and developing the necessary infrastructure. Currently, the ports are demonstrating 91 pieces of terminal equipment, including ZE yard tractors, top handlers, forklifts, and rubber-tired gantry cranes, and Class 8 on-road trucks — including hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies — with additional terminal equipment and on-road trucks to be commissioned by the end of the year.

The 2017 CAAP contains a comprehensive strategy to accelerate progress toward a ZE future while protecting and strengthening the ports’ competitive position in the global economy. Since 2005, port-related air pollution emissions in San Pedro Bay have dropped 86% for diesel particulate matter, 46% for nitrogen oxides and 95% for sulfur oxides. Targets for reducing greenhouse gases from port-related sources were introduced as part of the 2017 CAAP Update. The document calls for the ports to reduce greenhouse gases to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The CAAP was originally approved in 2006.

The San Pedro Bay ports complex is the nation’s busiest and the ninth-busiest in the world. Trade that flows through the San Pedro Bay ports generates more than 3 million jobs nationwide.