Port of Oakland Secures $10.5M Grant for Zero-Emission Shift

The Port of Oakland has been awarded $10.5 million from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the agency’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle grant program.

This funding will accelerate the transition from fossil-fuel-powered vehicles to zero-emission (ZE) technology across Oakland, Richmond, and San Francisco.

The grant is part of the broader Investing in America initiative led by the Biden-Harris Administration, which has allocated $735 million to clean energy projects. Of this amount, $135 million will fund 13 projects in California aimed at replacing heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission alternatives.

Colleen Liang, Director of Environmental Programs and Planning at the Port of Oakland, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, stating:

“The Port of Oakland is grateful for additional investments to transition freight equipment and infrastructure to zero emissions. Partnerships with our tenants and our community members and collaborative efforts are key components of delivering innovation and zero emissions throughout the entire region.”

As part of the initiative, the Port of Oakland, in partnership with United Parcel Service (UPS), will replace 60 Class 6 UPS delivery trucks with battery-electric vehicles. UPS, one of the Bay Area’s largest fleet operators and a major tenant of the port, will contribute nearly $5 million in matching funds for the project.

The project also includes the installation of electric vehicle chargers at three logistics hubs in the Bay Area, training programs for workers on the use of ZE equipment, and a community engagement plan to ensure local involvement and support.

These efforts align with the Port of Oakland’s goal to achieve zero emissions by 2050. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create green jobs through workforce development programs, and strengthen the port’s ties with stakeholders and the surrounding community.