The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are considering a reported $60 million program that could pay trucking companies up to $36,000 annually per qualifying zero-emission truck. The proposed electric truck incentives would reward terminal activity as carriers face operating and charging costs. Public comments remain open through November 2, with final approvals still pending.
Key Takeaways
- The proposed three-year program would pay $60 per eligible terminal visit, capped at $36,000 per truck annually
- The reported $60 million funding would come from the ports’ Clean Truck Fund, although the program has not received final approval
- Public comments close November 2, 2026, before both harbor commissions consider the proposal
Electric truck incentives at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach could provide carriers with recurring payments based on actual cargo movements, rather than relying entirely on assistance for purchasing new equipment.
The ports released draft guidelines for the Zero-Emission Truck Rewards Incentive Program, known as ZE-TRIP, on September 15, 2026. The Los Angeles Times reported October 29 that officials were considering allocating $60 million from the Clean Truck Fund to support the initiative.
The proposal comes as trucking companies face higher ownership and operating costs for zero-emission equipment, while both ports pursue their goal of transitioning to zero-emission drayage trucks by 2035. Neither harbor commission has approved the incentive program, and officials have not established a launch date.
Electric Truck Incentives Would Reward Terminal Activity
Under the proposed ZE-TRIP guidelines, eligible trucking companies could receive $60 for each qualifying terminal visit completed by a zero-emission drayage truck. Payments would be capped at $36,000 per vehicle annually during the proposed three-year program.
Drayage trucks transport shipping containers between marine terminals and nearby warehouses, rail facilities and other cargo destinations. Their operations depend on scheduled terminal access, loading times and the availability of equipment.
The payment structure would connect incentives to actual truck utilization. For example, 100 eligible terminal visits would generate $6,000 under the proposed formula, while 600 qualifying visits would reach the annual maximum of $36,000.
Those amounts represent potential payments rather than guaranteed earnings. The final program would determine eligibility requirements, verification procedures and payment administration.
The proposal differs from existing truck-purchasing grants because carriers would receive assistance based on operational activity. Port officials have described the approach as a way to encourage greater use of zero-emission trucks already serving the harbor while supporting additional vehicles entering port operations.
Operating Costs Remain a Major Concern for Port Trucking Companies
“We know cost is one of the biggest barriers for our trucking partners to transition to zero emissions,” Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Noel Hacegaba said when the proposal was announced in September.
The financial challenges extend beyond the price of acquiring an electric truck. Operators must account for charging arrangements, insurance, maintenance and periods when vehicles cannot complete freight movements. These expenses vary depending on fleet size, equipment and operating schedules.
Harbor Trucking Association Chief Executive Robert Loya told the Los Angeles Times that the association had requested additional assistance with electric truck ownership and operating expenses. Trucking companies have also raised concerns about charging time and the availability of infrastructure suitable for heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
Although California’s electric-vehicle adoption has been accompanied by an expanding charging network, port trucking operations present different logistical requirements. Carriers must coordinate battery charging with container movements, terminal appointments and daily delivery schedules.
The ports’ proposed operating payments would address part of that financial challenge without resolving every infrastructure constraint. The incentive would depend on how frequently eligible vehicles complete terminal visits, making consistent fleet activity an important consideration for participating carriers.
According to port figures cited in October 29 reporting, approximately 4% of trucks visiting the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are zero-emission. Both ports continue to work toward the 2035 zero-emission drayage goal established under their Clean Air Action Plan.
Separate Funding Programs Support Truck Purchases and Charging
The proposed $60 million program would operate alongside existing efforts to help carriers acquire zero-emission equipment and expand commercial charging infrastructure.
In July 2026, the Port of Los Angeles announced a separate $75 million Zero-Emission Truck Purchasing Incentive Project. The program offers eligible licensed motor carriers up to $300,000 per battery-electric Class 8 truck, with a maximum award of $24 million per carrier. Applicants must propose purchasing at least 10 qualifying vehicles.
The Port of Long Beach also introduced its Zero-Emission Truck Early Leaders Award program in June, allocating up to $4.8 million for qualifying carriers that had previously deployed zero-emission trucks. Unlike rebates for first-time EV buyers, these port programs are designed specifically for commercial freight operations.
Charging infrastructure remains a separate funding priority. Under an agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Los Angeles and Long Beach each committed $20 million toward regional charging and fueling projects, bringing the combined commitment to $40 million.
The proposed operating incentives would draw from the Clean Truck Fund, which began collecting fees in April 2022. The ports charge cargo owners or their agents $10 per twenty-foot equivalent unit on eligible loaded containers hauled by nonexempt trucks, with a $20 charge applying to larger containers. Zero-emission truck movements are exempt.
Recent emissions data also provide context for the ports’ broader efforts. On October 22, the Port of Los Angeles reported that diesel particulate matter emissions from trucks declined 16% in 2025 compared with 2024, while nitrogen oxide emissions fell 25%. Those reductions occurred before ZE-TRIP was implemented and cannot be attributed to the proposed payments.
The ports held a public meeting on September 29 to discuss the draft incentive guidelines. Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, November 2, 2026.
After the comment period, both harbor commissions must consider the proposed program before payments can begin. The $60-per-visit structure and reported $60 million allocation remain under consideration, with no confirmed implementation date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the proposed electric truck incentives?
The electric truck incentives would provide qualifying carriers with $60 for each eligible terminal visit completed by a zero-emission truck at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. Payments would be limited to $36,000 per vehicle annually under the proposed three-year program.
Has the $60 million program been approved?
No. The reported $60 million program remains under consideration, and both harbor commissions must approve the proposal before payments can begin.
Which trucking companies could qualify?
The proposed program targets eligible motor carriers operating qualifying zero-emission drayage trucks at the two ports. Final eligibility requirements and payment procedures will depend on the approved guidelines.
When is the public comment deadline?
The public comment period closes November 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Port officials have not announced when the proposed incentive program could begin.
