Zero-Emissions Trucking

More than 16,000 trucks serve the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which are North America’s largest trade gateway for containerized cargo as well as the single largest fixed source of air pollution in Southern California. The ports are responsible for more than 100 tons per day of smog- and particulate-forming nitrogen oxides – more than the daily emissions from all six million cars in the region.

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric technology is a clean, scalable platform that can meet a broad range of mobility needs with zero emissions. Ten fuel cell electric heavy-duty Class 8 trucks, utilizing the Kenworth T680 Class 8 model combined with Toyota’s fuel cell electric technology, were piloted by Toyota Logistics Services, United Parcel Services, Total Transportation Services Inc., and Southern Counties Express for drayage operations at the ports. Between 2020 and 2022, these trucks logged more than 30,000 in-service, zero-emission miles.

Development of the fuel cell electric heavy-duty Class 8 trucks is part of a $41 million Zero and Near Zero Emissions Freight Facilities (ZANZEFF) grant awarded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), with the Port of Los Angeles as the prime applicant. CARB awarded those funds to the Port of Los Angeles for the ZANZEFF project as part of California Climate Investments, a California initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

All 10 trucks have been turned in, as part of the planned pilot phase and the original specifications of the ZANZEFF grant.

Starting in 2023, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) plans to begin assembling integrated dual fuel cell (FC) modules destined for use in hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty commercial trucks. The FC modules bring Toyota’s electrification strategy further into focus as they are expected to allow truck manufacturers to incorporate emissions-free fuel cell electric technology into existing platforms with the technical support of Toyota under the hood.