Port of LA Announces Incentive Funding for Zero Emission Trucks

Trucks queuing at a Port of Los Angeles container terminal gate. Photo: POLA.

The Port of Los Angeles on Sept. 13 announced the release of $5 million in voucher incentives for zero-emission trucks to operate at the port. This marks the first in a series of incentive programs that will be funded by the port’s recently enacted Clean Truck Fund (CTF).

“Our port does more than drive America’s economy forward – it shows the world how environmental stewardship and economic prosperity can go hand-in-hand,” Los Angles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement.

“As we continue to move record cargo, the need for zero-emission solutions has never been more clear – and working in partnership with the California Air Resources Board, we will continue to forge ahead with our work to clean our air and accelerate our transition to zero-emission technologies,” he added.

“We’re pleased to start investing the Clean Truck Fund dollars that we’ve been collecting since April and use them toward a zero-emissions future,” POLA Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “This is the first of many funding initiatives that the Port of Los Angeles has planned as we help begin the transition to the cleanest trucks in the world.”

In November 2021, the LA Harbor Commission authorized the collection of $10 per Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) from cargo owners on loaded containers entering and exiting the Port. Collection of the funds, to be used for zero-emission trucks and infrastructure incentives, began April 1 and is expected to generate about $45 million annually.

The CTF Rate is a key component of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan goal of 100% zero-emission drayage trucks by 2035.

The voucher program announced in September utilizes California’s existing Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) funding application process to provide incentive funding of $150,000 toward eligible zero-emission truck purchases servicing the San Pedro Bay port complex.

Launched by the California Air Resources Board, HVIP is part of California Climate Investments. Funding is administered by CALSTART, the current HVIP administrator, on a first-come, first-served basis through the existing HVIP voucher request process. Voucher requests for this $5 million will follow HVIP requirements, including the eligible trucks and dealers listed at californiahvip.org.

The first trucks are expected to begin operating at the Port of LA next year. Additional allocations from the Clean Truck Fund are expected to be made available later this year.

Questions can be directed to info@californiahvip.org.