California ports become a lot greener
Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM
Daimler Trucks North America recently celebrated delivery of 132 new natural gas (NG)-fueled tractors to drivers who contract with California Cartage Company and 100 new NG trucks for the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles' Clean Truck Program. This is part of a partnership among the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Southern California Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), and Cal Cartage, a private company committed to building a clean drayage fleet.
Nearly $12 million in grant funding for California Cartage's project has been provided by the South Coast Air Quality Management District using funding from a U.S. EPA grant and from California's Proposition 1B Program.
In addition to the 132 vehicles delivered to California Cartage, the 100 NG vehicles earmarked for deployment by licensed motor carriers and owner-operators doing business with the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will help meet objectives of the Ports' Clean Truck Program. Deployment of these near-zero emission trucks will lead to immediate improvements in air quality while enabling California Cartage drivers and the ports to comply with some of the most stringent emissions reductions standards in the world.
