Drayage Emission Reduction

 

The Challenge

To reach Washington state and Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) emission reduction goals, the transition to zero-emission vehicle technologies needs to be accelerated for trucks servicing the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. While ocean-going vessels, locomotives, and cargo handling equipment are all port-related polluters, drayage trucks drive through neighborhoods and idle on city streets, which more directly impacts local populations.

Drayage trucks, which take cargo from ships and drive them to nearby distribution centers or rail depots, are a crucial - yet overlooked - link in northwest supply chains. These trucks are often independently owned and operated by low-income and immigrant drivers who cannot afford newer, cleaner truck models. The NWSA has implemented several programs that incentivize drivers to purchase newer, more efficient trucks, but decarbonizing the supply chain and improving local air quality will require a rapid transition to zero-emission vehicles within the next few years. 

Charging Facilities

Medium- and heavy-duty charging on port property is logistically difficult and undesirable for both drayage drivers and ports. Charging stations for heavy-duty Class 8 trucks need both high voltage capacity and room to maneuver. Ideally, trucks could be left in a secure location for several hours or overnight to fully charge. Charging facilities will need to be 1) easily accessed by drayage drivers; 2) spacious enough to accommodate several large trucks; 3) safe and well lit; and 4) able to provide reliable, affordable, high voltage charging.

Affordability Gap 

Most drayage trucks are retired long-haul Class 8 diesel trucks, which cost about $80,000. New Class 8 diesel trucks cost around $165,000, while Class 8 electric trucks cost anywhere between $300,000 to $500,000. This affordability gap between used diesel and new electric Class 8 trucks is insurmountable for lower-income drayage drivers without significant financial assistance. However, moving to heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles is a critical piece of achieving NWSA and Washington state goals of dramatically reducing seaport-related greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by 2050.

PNWER RIA Solutions

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 provides unparalleled federal investment dollars for the transition to zero emission vehicles. But this challenge is too big for the federal government to handle alone. State and private sector investment are critical pieces in solving the drayage emission reduction puzzle. 

The PNWER RIA seeks to identify and blend private capital with state and federal public financing options for both drayage truck acquisition and heavy-duty charging infrastructure. Over the lifecycle of the grant, the PNWER RIA will work closely with local, state and federal partners to do the following: 

  • Identify two potential medium / heavy duty EV charging sites that are accessible for owner-operator drayage drivers, but may also work for school buses, intercity bus companies, shuttles, and other potential charging clients.

  • Create a business case for investment in truck charging facilities along the I-5 corridor between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, including the use of federal TIFIA or PAB financing options from the Build America Bureau.

  • Work with local, state and federal legislators to identify financing options for low-income drivers to purchase electric Class 8 trucks.

FAQs

  • We are open to exploring other zero-emission heavy duty truck types in addition to electric trucks, and remain technology and company neutral. However, the area between the two ports has the capacity to handle power demands of a heavy duty truck charging station, and the region has the right expertise to install these chargers.

  • While battery technology is still improving for long haul trucking, drayage routes are a perfect fit for current battery-operated electric trucks. Heavy duty truck batteries can run between 200 and 300 miles on a single charge. Drayage trucks typically drive between 60 and 100 miles in a single shift. Unlike long-haul truck drivers, drayage drivers return to the same location at the end of each workday.

  • Hydrogen cell Class 8 trucks are one of the zero-emission options available on the market, but the region currently does not have the capacity to support hydrogen truck charging. The PNWER RIA supports the development and deployment of hydrogen refueling technologies in the Pacific Northwest as an emissions reduction strategy.

  • Good question! We’ve included a glossary and links to more information below:

Interested in learning more? Contact our Staff!