Busy container ports on both coasts are deploying an increased number of zero-emissions yard vehicles that position them ahead of heightened environmental regulations.
The Red Hook Container Terminals in Port Newark, New Jersey, recently deployed 10 fully electric yard tractors. Ranked as the single largest Eastern Seaboard shift to battery-electric yard vehicles, the transition appears to mirror those occurring in California ports such as Long Beach.
“We are now going to the next level by eliminating diesel air pollution, and CO2 emissions at our Port Newark facility that we expect will benefit of our neighbors in Newark, our workers, and the planet,” Red Hook Container Terminal president and CEO Mike Stamatis reportedly said.
The New Jersey-New York port system reportedly handles more than 4 million twenty-foot container units annually. That figure has risen by approximately 9.2 percent over the previous 12 months. Rising imports and exports put freight carriers and port authorities in a position to curb fossil fuel pollution as they grow. The effort to move toward more sustainable practices has been widely hailed by environmentalists and officials alike. Kim Gaddy, an advocate associated with the Coalition for Healthy Ports, indicated strong support as a resident.
“I am happy to stand with Red Hook Container Terminal, who is leading the way and is committed to 100 percent electrification of all of its equipment and port operations,” Gaddy reportedly said after the 10-vehicle fleet was unveiled. “We urge other port terminals and companies in the logistics industry to make the same commitment. Our children, communities, and port workers have suffered long enough from dirty air and the effects of climate change.”
Her sentiments were echoed by local officials who are determined to explore niche opportunities to reduce emissions.
“It is a clean, safe, and all-electric future where Newark no longer suffers from the health and environmental damage caused by fleets of carbon-reliant vehicles,” Newark Economic and Housing Development director Allison Ladd reportedly said.
Although the East Coast port is making tremendous strides in terms of combating pollution, California ports appear to be outpacing them. Electrify America and NFI Industries announced an effort to roll out 60 battery-electric drayage vehicles and upwards of 34 ultra-fast DC charging stations as supporting infrastructure at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
California has also begun transitioning public transportation and heavy-duty vehicles to electric-powered models. Unfortunately, the initiative to lower emissions by replacing diesel-run engines with large-scale lithium-ion batteries has proven costly. However, New Jersey plans to invest upwards of $130 million in green transportation as well.
With its massive port footprint, Newark has become something of a poster child for the state’s energy policies. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy reportedly traveled to Newark to announce expansive environmental legislation that includes zero-emission transportation goals.
Sources: fleetowner.com, truckinginfo.com
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