Kenworth fuel cell trucks part of Port of Los Angeles $82m scheme

The Port of Los Angeles has been awarded $41 million for a zero-emissions project which includes a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) provided the preliminarily funding with partners Toyota, Kenworth and Shell providing further costs for a total $82 million.

The project will establish a fuel cell electric technology network for freight transport to move goods from “shore to store”.

It will include 10 hydrogen fuel cell Kenworth T680 electric trucks, two hydrogen fuel stations, and four zero-emissions cargo handling equipment.

The initiative will help reduce carbon emissions by 465 metric tons and is part of California Climate Investments, a state initiative worth billions to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti says the funding is helping make zero emissions goods movement a reality.

“The Port of Los Angeles is showing the world that we don’t need to choose between environmental stewardship and economic growth.

“I am grateful to CARB for this investment in America’s port, as we continue to lead the drive toward a more sustainable future.”
Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka says the funding is “critically needed” to support to the next generation of clean port equipment and infrastructure.
Toyota North America executive vice president Bob Carter says fuel cell technology has great potential.

“Toyota believes that zero-emissions fuel cell electric technology, and the scalability, throughput speed, and driving range advantages of its hydrogen fuel, has the potential to become the powertrain of the future – and the capabilities of fuel cell-electric heavy trucks are a big reason why.

“We are proud to team with the Port of Los Angeles, Kenworth and Shell and the operating partners to explore the benefits of a true zero-emissions heavy-duty truck platform and to support the development of a heavy-duty hydrogen fueling network in California.

“These trucks add to our growing portfolio of fuel cell electric vehicles as we lead the industry in expanding electrification through the use of this advanced, versatile, and scalable zero-emissions technology,” Carter says.