The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are investing $25 million in new charging infrastructure for electric drayage trucks. 

The ports will partner with regional air quality agencies to install 207 charging units at eight sites in Southern California. The project will cost a total of $135 million. 

“We’re investing with our Clean Truck Fund to get both zero-emission trucks and infrastructure on the street as quickly as possible,” Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka said, adding that the two ports will also partner with the state to offer vouchers worth up to $250,000 for the purchase of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks.

The Port of Los Angeles also deployed new battery-powered electric cargo top handlers on June 25. The handlers — which typically run on diesel fuel — are off-road vehicles with booms that can load and unload 75,000-pound containers onto trucks and trains, and then stack them in terminals. The new electric top handlers are now being used at the port's Yusen Terminal, and can run for two full shifts before needing a five-hour charge. 

The port is hoping to transition all of its cargo handling equipment to zero-emissions by 2030, as well as all drayage trucks by 2035. It estimates that its 215 diesel top handlers are currently responsible for 30% of its cargo handling emissions.