The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant of US$1.3 million to South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) aiming to support project partners replacing diesel trucks with more sustainable vehicles.
In particular, SC Ports will facilitate the grant to the project partners A&R Logistics and Benore Logistic Systems, Inc. with the goal of deploying all-electric, energy-efficient and zero-emission tractor trucks in place of diesel trucks.
“The support from the EPA through the US$1.3 million DERA grant, and the bold initiative taken by A&R Logistics and Benore to deploy the electric trucks, serve as a great model for companies looking to create a more sustainable supply chain,” stated SC Ports Chief Operating Officer, Barbara Melvin.
The provider of supply chain services to the chemical industry A&R Logistics will deploy two trucks; one to move cargo between the ports’ new 57m² export facility in Moncks Corner and the Port of Charleston, and another one that will be deployed in the Savannah area.
Additionally, the supply chain service solutions company Benore will use six trucks in the Upstate to support the movement of cargo from BMW Manufacturing Co.’s plant to SC Ports’ rail-served Inland Port Greer.
The initiative of replacing older diesel vehicles with new electric ones will help reducing air emissions of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide that are being released into the environment over a vehicle’s lifetime, according to a statement.
The electric vehicles named “Peterbilt” will reduce maintenance and vehicle repairs by up to 40% compared to diesel vehicles as they do not create exhaust of harmful byproducts.
SC Ports Permitting Manager, Mark Messersmith pointed out that “The ability to move cargo with all-electric trucks significantly reduces emissions in the surrounding communities, which positively impacts residents and businesses,” and went on to add, “SC Ports is focused on improving air quality in the communities in which it operates through a variety of emissions-reducing programs.”
Furthermore, Executive Director of Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, Ron Mitchum, noted, “the ability to drive economic growth while minimally impacting our environment is a win for South Carolina Ports, the agency’s project partners and the community.”
In addition to backing from the EPA, the project has also received support from the SC Energy Office, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, Charleston Community Research to Action Board, Dominion Energy, Town of Mount Pleasant and the City of Charleston.
