The Port of Oakland and its logistics partners announced Monday that they have launched a battery electric truck demonstration project as part of the Oakland Seaport’s path toward zero emissions.
The Port debuted 10 new battery electric trucks at the Port-based trucking operation “Shippers Transport Express (STE). The $5.1 million in Peterbilt trucks, funded by a Zero and Near-Zero Emission Freight Facility program grant (ZANZEFF), will be used to haul cargo within the Port’s maritime area.
“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.
According to the group, the Port of Oakland has invested $1.7 million to construct 10 electric charging stations at STE. It will also build a new electrical substation and power line extension to connect the charging stations. The projects took nearly two years to complete and advance the Port’s plan to reduce emissions from Oakland Seaport sources, the group said.
Monetary and construction commitments at the port served as the grant funding match for the electric truck demonstration project. The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand options for clean, cargo-handling technology at other ports in California.
“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.”