The Port of Los Angeles has announced the release of US$5 million in voucher incentives for zero-emission trucks to operate at the Port. 

This marks the first in a series of incentive programs that will be funded by the Port's recently enacted Clean Truck Fund (CTF).

"We're pleased to start investing the Clean Truck Fund dollars that we've been collecting since April and use them toward a zero-emissions future," said Gene Seroka, executive director at Port of Los Angeles.

"This is the first of many funding initiatives that the Port of Los Angeles has planned as we help begin the transition to the cleanest trucks in the world."

Last November, the Los Angeles Harbor Commission authorized the collection of US$10 per Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) from cargo owners on loaded containers entering and exiting the Port.

Collection of the funds, to be used for zero-emission trucks and infrastructure incentives, began on April 1 this year and is expected to generate about US$45 million annually.

Port of LA said the CTF Rate is a key component of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan goal of 100% zero-emission drayage trucks by 2035.

The voucher program announced utilizes California's existing Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) funding application process to provide incentive funding of US$150,000 toward eligible zero-emission truck purchases servicing the San Pedro Bay port complex.

Launched by the California Air Resources Board, HVIP is part of California Climate Investments and funding is administered by CALSTART, the current HVIP administrator, on a first-come, first-served basis through the existing HVIP voucher request process.

Port of LA said voucher requests for this US$5 million will follow HVIP requirements. 

The first trucks are expected to begin operating at the Port next year.

Additional allocations from the Clean Truck Fund are also expected to be made available later this year.