Port of Long Beach puts $4.8m behind zero-emission trucking

The Port of Long Beach has launched a Zero-Emission Truck Early Leaders Award.

The programme reportedly offers one-time payments totalling up to $4.8 million to trucking companies that were among the first to deploy zero-emission vehicles at its marine terminals.

Eligibility was determined using truck activity data recorded between January 2024 and December 2025, with up to 43 companies qualifying.

Those averaging more than 50 trips up to 200 trips per zero-emission truck stand to receive up to $8,000 per vehicle, while trucks averaging more than 200 trips are eligible for up to $10,000 each.

To secure payment, companies must keep their zero-emission trucks registered in the Port Drayage Truck Registry and maintain fleet activity levels consistent with their previous performance between July and December 2026. Any reduction in fleet average will result in a prorated award.

Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Officer, said: “Zero-emissions trucks can cost more than twice the equivalent diesel model. They’re also essential to reach our goal of becoming the world’s first carbon-free port.

“This Zero-Emission Truck Early Leaders Award is our way of rewarding the early adopters for their commitment to our vision for tomorrow and for making significant and principled investments in the future.”

Frank Colonna, Long Beach Harbor Commission President, added: “These early leaders are faced with regulatory uncertainty and the challenges coming with new technologies, such as limited infrastructure and fuel supply. This is a recognition from a thankful port of our trucking partners using zero-emission trucks despite those challenges.”

The programme, approved by the Long Beach Harbor Commission, will draw on Clean Truck Fund rate revenue.

Qualifying companies will receive an acknowledgement letter and must confirm compliance through activity data. Payments are scheduled for early 2027, following verification of operations through the end of 2026.

The award follows a separate initiative announced last month, in which the Port of Long Beach offered a $1 million prize for the first oceangoing vessel to commercially refuel at its harbour with methanol, as part of efforts to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition to cleaner fuels.