The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently teamed up with leading clean transportation nonprofit CALSTART to announce two incentive programs that will fasten the adoption of zero-emission drayage trucks and terminal tractors. Another essential aspect of the program is the essential charging infrastructure that is needed to power the vehicles at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The programs collectively account for $45 million.
Beginning this fall, CALSTART will serve as the program designer and administrator for the Clean Truck Incentive (CTI) and Green Drayage Accelerator (GDA). CTI will deploy up to $39 million in point-of-sale vouchers for the purchase of zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors and the necessary charging infrastructure. The $5 million GDA program focuses on awarding up to five electric truck charging hubs in a 10-mile radius of the Port Authority’s seaport facilities. Both of these programs serve the purpose of advancing the Port Authority’s sustainability goals through the adoption of cleaner technologies. It also helps to provide port operators with affordable electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure needed for them.
“The Port Authority has committed to reaching net-zero by 2050, and we can’t get there without bringing our tenants, contractors, and partners like the trucking community along with us,” said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia. “These new incentive programs make it financially realistic for drayage operators to switch to zero-emission trucks and yard equipment. Paired with other industry-leading programs and regulations, we’re making sure we back up our ambitious sustainability commitments with real action.”
The programs work well with other sustainability initiatives at the seaport, with the Port Authority looking to support all links in the supply chain, such as ocean carriers, container terminals and trucking companies. The agency has made a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as helping its operating partners, tenants and contractors reach that same goal.
“The trucks that move through our gates don’t stop there. They fan out to warehouses and distribution hubs across the region, carrying the goods that power our economy,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This $45 million partnership with CALSTART puts zero-emission trucks, terminal tractors, and charging infrastructure within reach for the operators who serve this port every day. Cleaner trucks here mean cleaner air not just for our port facilities, but for every community along the routes these trucks travel.”
CALSTART will be building and launching dynamic tracking dashboards for both of the initiatives. The tools will be used to monitor deployment, vehicle performance and charger utilization throughout port operations.
The programs will be funded through a $451 million grant that was awarded to the Port Authority by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, which is the largest sustainability grant in Port Authority history. A separate $3 million EPA grant will help fund the creation of a Port Community Advisory Council.
“Deploying zero-emission trucks at scale requires pairing accessible vehicle incentives with reliable, high-capacity charging,” said CALSTART Executive Vice President of California and regional market acceleration Alycia Gilde. “By combining flexible financial support with streamlined program administration, our partnership with the Port Authority lowers the barrier to entry for drayage operators, modernizing the East Coast supply chain while delivering immediate, tangible air quality improvements to local port communities.”
Several other programs, including the Truck Replacement Program, which gives financial incentives to trucking companies that swap out older, high-emission engines for clean, newer ones, have supported the Port Authority’s zero-emissions goal. Another initiative, the Clean Vessel Incentive program, rewards ocean carriers that voluntarily reduce speed near the port, which lowers air emissions and conserves fuel. The agency also included emissions requirements in its marine terminal rules and regulations, which requires that terminal operators shift to zero-emission cargo handling equipment as it becomes widely available.
The Port Authority’s partnership with CALSTART is the agency’s next move towards making its zero-emission goal a reality. Through the pair of programs, specific vehicles will adopt these eco-friendly alternatives, helping to further support the agency’s other initiatives.