Study evaluates zero-emissions 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 cleaner drayage truck technologies to help reduce air pollution in the San Pedro Bay ports complex and reach the ambitious zero-emissions (ZE) goals adopted in the 2017 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) Update.

The Final 2024 Class 8 Drayage Truck Feasibility Assessment Report focuses on battery electric and fuel cell electric trucks. It can be downloaded from the CAAP website, here.

The ports released a draft assessment in June 2025 for public review and comment. Previous assessments were conducted in 2018 and 2021. Following the CAAP framework for feasibility assessments, the 2024 report evaluates the feasibility of Class 8 ZE drayage trucks across five key areas: technical, commercial, operational, economic and infrastructure viability. The 2024 report shows a continued increase in the feasibility of ZE trucks compared to the previous assessments, a trend also reflected in the more than 600 ZE vehicles currently in operation throughout the San Pedro Bay port complex.

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

To support the transition to a ZE drayage truck fleet, the ports implemented the Clean Truck Fund Rate, collecting $10 per twenty-foot equivalent unit from diesel trucks calling at the ports beginning in April 2022. A portion of the funding is allocated through CALSTART to help incentivize the purchase of ZE drayage trucks. The ports have also allocated funding to other programs, including partnering with state and local agencies, such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, and California Air Resources Board, to leverage additional funding for ZE freight movement and accelerate regional deployment of ZE trucks and the necessary associated regional infrastructure using these funds.