spot_imgspot_img

Seattle announces $1.7M pilot program to incentivize truck electrification

(The Center Square) – Seattle’s Office of Sustainability & Environment, in conjunction with Mayor Bruce Harrell, have announced a new pilot program to incentivize heavy-duty truck electrification

Operating as a point-of-sale rebate, where the manufacturer or distributor will be reimbursed by the city, the program would mean up to 40% off the retail price of new electric trucks. The maximum per vehicle reimbursement would be $180,000, and the available funding totals $1.7 million. Assuming the maximum per vehicle reimbursement, that translates into less than 10 new electric trucks.

According to a Thursday news release from the office, the Electric Trucks Pilot program is “aimed at supporting local truck drivers’ transition to electric freight vehicles and improve[ing] air quality in the port-adjacent communities of the Duwamish Valley where heavy freight activity is one of the largest contributors to air pollution.”

The Duwamish River Valley is a large stretch of waterway extending from Seattle’s southern border near the Renton/Tukwila area north 12 miles to the SoDo neighborhood, just south of downtown Seattle.

Comprised of predominantly industrial zoning, the valley includes the Port of Seattle’s Harbor Island, as well as the SoDo, Georgetown and South Park neighborhoods.

“Seattle is proud of our roots and our future as a port city – with new jobs, housing, and thriving industrial and maritime lands – but we also know that its neighbors who bear the brunt of the diesel pollution that comes from heavy-duty trucks moving goods throughout the Duwamish Valley,” Harrell said in the news release, before going on to highlight how this pilot program aligns with the objectives of the One Seattle Climate Justice Agenda.

This program is in a similar to the recent $16.3 million in grants the Department of Ecology announced for fleet electrification, as previously reported by The Center Square.

On Tuesday, the Department of Ecology and Department of Commerce made a joint announcement regarding another similar program, $127.5 million in electric vehicle charging station grants.

“Transportation is responsible for 61% of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 9% coming from freight. Seattle aims to achieve 30% zero-emission goods delivery by 2030, in line with the City’s Transportation Electrification Blueprint,” the news release states.

That blueprint has the goal of making Seattle a carbon neutral city by 2050.

To accomplish that goal, the city has a long way to go.

“There are 4,000 trucks serving the Port of Seattle, and right now all of them are running on high-polluting diesel engines,” said Jessyn Farrell, Seattle director of the Office of Sustainability & Environment, in a statement in the news release.

“Through the Electric Trucks Pilot, we aim to support drivers in bringing the first electric trucks in the City by 2024, while working in partnership with State and Federal governments to further bring down the cost of zero-emissions vehicles and creating the needed infrastructure to support them,” she noted.

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

spot_imgspot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Survey: Small business owners optimistic heading into holiday shopping season

(The Center Square) – Although a new survey reveals...

Delaware-based group spends thousands on candidates across Illinois

(The Center Square) – Several Illinois races are being...

Voters have high number of transit measures in 2024

Voters will decide on $59.2 billion in dedicated, multi-year...

Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz placed on administrative leave

(The Center Square) – Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian...

California goods inflation down, wages up, fueling possible housing bubble

(The Center Square) - According to new reports from...

Census: Arizona remains a top destination for moving Americans

(The Center Square)— New estimates from the U.S. Census...

Ohio school district adopts controversial ‘Grading for Equity’ policies

A school district outside Cleveland, Ohio, will have staff...

More like this
Related

Survey: Small business owners optimistic heading into holiday shopping season

(The Center Square) – Although a new survey reveals...

Delaware-based group spends thousands on candidates across Illinois

(The Center Square) – Several Illinois races are being...

Voters have high number of transit measures in 2024

Voters will decide on $59.2 billion in dedicated, multi-year...

Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz placed on administrative leave

(The Center Square) – Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian...