The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) has announced the release of US$5 million in voucher incentives for zero-emission trucks, which are expected to begin operating at the Californian port next year.
This marks the first in a series of incentive programmes that will be funded by the POLA’s recently enacted Clean Truck Fund (CTF).
“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,” said Los Angles mayor, Eric Garcetti.
Last November, the Los Angeles Harbor Commission authorised the collection of US$10 per 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 on 1 April this year and is expected to generate about US$45 million annually.
Port of Los Angeles executive director, Gene Seroka commented, “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. 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.”
The Los Angeles port noted that the voucher programme is expected to utilise California’s existing Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) funding application process to provide incentive funding of US$150,000 toward eligible zero-emission truck purchases servicing the San Pedro Bay port complex.
