California’s Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, although currently not enforced due to legal considerations, has already influenced the Port of Long Beach’s drayage industry’s preparation for a zero-emission future. Initial data from the port demonstrates the industry’s response to the anticipated rule, which would have prohibited the addition of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to the state’s drayage registry from January 1.
Key Insights from the Port of Long Beach Data
- Doubling of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs): From July to January, the number of ZEVs registered at the port doubled from 111 to 222, indicating a significant, though still small, shift towards zero-emission drayage operations.
- Minimal Impact on Total Drayage Moves: Despite the increase, ZEVs accounted for only 1.16% of all drayage moves within the port in January, up from 0.5% in July. This figure illustrates the early but growing role of ZEVs in port operations.
- Surge in ICE Vehicle Registrations: Anticipation of the ACF rule seemingly led to a surge in ICE vehicle registrations before the expected December 31 deadline, with the total number of trucks registered with the port growing from 21,585 in July to 24,013 in December.
- Stable Demand Amidst Increasing Truck Registrations: This growth in vehicle registrations did not correlate with an increase in drayage moves, which actually showed a decrease from October to January, indicating that the rise in registrations was a proactive response to the ACF rather than a response to increased demand.
The ACF’s Influence and Future Implications
The ACF rule’s anticipated impact and the temporary pause in its enforcement highlight the drayage industry’s complex transition to zero-emission vehicles. The Port of Long Beach and its stakeholders are navigating this transition with cautious optimism, supported by federal and state incentives for ZEV adoption and the development of necessary charging infrastructure.
The port’s collection of approximately $70 million from the Clean Truck Fund Rate to fund charging infrastructure development exemplifies the proactive steps being taken to support this transition. Moreover, the growing ZEV registration numbers, albeit small in comparison to ICE vehicles, signal a foundational shift in the industry’s approach to environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.
As the legal status of the ACF rule remains uncertain, the drayage industry at the Port of Long Beach and beyond continues to prepare for a future where zero-emission vehicles play a central role in operations, supported by ongoing investments in infrastructure and technology.
