APM Terminals invests US$1 million in electric vehicle fleet upgrade

LOS ANGELES : APM Terminals has announced a significant advancement in its terminal operations fleet by transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs).

With an investment of nearly US$1 million, the terminal has replaced 28 internal combustion engine vehicles with brand-new, all-electric Volkswagen ID.4s.

This shift towards electrification of its passenger vehicle fleet reflects Pier 400’s dedication to aligning its operations with APM Terminals’ sustainability goals and adhering to the targets outlined in the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) 2017 Update.

This initiative is part of the Port of Los Angeles’ longstanding commitment to safeguarding air quality in and around the harbour, with various clean air action plans and emission reduction programs implemented to mitigate air pollution and minimize health risks for nearby communities.

“Pier 400 is taking proactive steps to decarbonize operations today with proven and available EV technology. By taking the dream of electric fleets off the drawing board and putting them into the terminal, we’re able to reduce our environmental impact by up to 60 tons of annual tailpipe CO2 emissions. These are small but important steps to do our part, along with the contributions of our employees, partners, customers, and community, to make the green transition a reality,” stated Jon Poelma, Managing Director of APM Terminals Pier 400.

To support the new EV fleet, Pier 400 has installed a Level-3 dual-port DC fast charge station, and four Level-2 dual-port charging stations, and will be adding four additional Level-2 dual-port charging stations accessible to staff, visitors, and the public. This program signifies the first phase of Pier 400’s electrification of its wider fleet of approximately 100 vehicles for terminal operations.

Pier 400’s transition to EVs delivers multifaceted benefits for all stakeholders:

Reduction of nearly 60 tons of annual tailpipe CO2 emissions for the replaced vehicles. Also, deploying electric vehicles at the terminal completely eliminates emissions of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), and particulate matter (PM) at the source, creating a cleaner and healthier environment that benefits both employees and visitors. New EVs are governor-limited to 25 mph, maximizing safety in the operational environment.

“I applaud APM Terminals for an initiative that takes us another step toward a zero-emission future in our port complex. Decarbonizing our industry is more urgent than ever. It’s this kind of proactive mindset that will help us get there,” stated Gene Seroka, Executive Director at Port of Los Angeles.