Climate United and Forum Mobility announced a $250 million initiative to deploy 500 electric Class 8 trucks and charging stations to replace diesel vehicles at California’s ports, aiming to empower small trucking operators to transition to zero-emissions.
Jeff St. John reports for Canary Media.
In short:
- Climate United’s program offers affordable financing and charging access for small operators allowing them to adopt electric trucks.
- The Port of Long Beach has about 500 electric trucks and this program aims to double that number in California’s busiest ports.
- The initiative aligns with California's goal of converting all port drayage trucks to zero emissions by 2035 improving air quality for nearby communities.
Key quote:
“We want to get small fleet owners into electric trucks. That’s really letting them lead this transition in a way that shows it’s feasible, so we can transition not just the tens of thousands of trucks in ports in California, but then take it across the country.”
— Beth Bafford, CEO of Climate United
Why this matters:
Diesel trucks serving California ports pollute heavily, especially impacting nearby low-income communities. Expanding electric truck fleets can reduce emissions, lower trucking costs and create a model for nationwide port fleet electrification.
Learn more: West Coast embraces electric big trucks, leading by example
