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).
As reported in LM, the ports released a draft assessment last December, examining the current state of technology, operational characteristics, economic considerations, infrastructure availability and commercial readiness relating to cleaner drayage trucks.
The final document incorporates public comment, which reflects the views of a wide and diverse group of constituents.
This includes the Union of Concerned Scientists, who note that the source of the Assessment’s “inaccurate” fuel efficiencies appear to be a reliance on fleet survey data and manufacturer data rather than side-by-side comparisons of diesel, natural gas, and battery technologies.
“While there is limited data comparing drayage trucks across these technology types, several comparisons exist in other truck applications that should be incorporated into the Assessment’s analysis,” stated the group.
“While we can’t address all concerns contained in the final document, we did want to make them available to the public,” said Phillip Sanfield, director of media relations for the Port of LA in an interview.
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.
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