The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Long Beach and LA’s clean trucks assessment

(Posted on 08/04/19)

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have released a final report on the feasibility of deploying clean truck technology to begin meeting the ambitious zero-emissions goals set by the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP).

The Ports released a draft assessment in December. It examined the current state of technology, operational characteristics, economic considerations, infrastructure availability and commercial readiness relating to cleaner drayage trucks. The CAAP has established goals of zero-emissions terminal equipment by 2030 and zero-emissions trucks by 2035. As part of this strategy, the ports committed to developing feasibility assessments every three years for terminal equipment and drayage trucks to determine a path toward meeting those goals. A draft cargo-handling equipment feasibility assessment is expected to be released this spring.

Originally approved in 2006, the CAAP was last updated in 2017. The 2017 CAAP Update contains a comprehensive strategy to accelerate progress toward a zero-emissions 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 87 percent for diesel particulate matter, 58 percent for nitrogen oxides and 97 percent for sulfur oxides. Targets for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) from port-related sources were introduced as part of the update. The document calls for the ports to reduce GHGs to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.