Efficient Drivetrains selected as part of $8.2M San Diego port electrification project
19 July 2016
Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI), a developer of high-efficiency hybrid and electric drivetrain solutions, was selected as a drivetrain provider and vehicle integrator for an electrification program driven by the San Diego Port Tenants Association (SDPTA). Also selected as part of the San Diego project were BYD and Transportation Power. Technology subcontractors are Peloton, GC Green, Greenlining Institute, and carbonBLU.
As part of the program, EDI will create a series of EV port trucks, and electrifying forklift vehicle accessories. The electrified port trucks will be used to replace conventional fuel vehicles of the same specifications with 100% emissions reduction, while still maintaining the same power and performance. Electrification of the forklift will eradicate emissions by eliminating engine idling while performing standard vehicle operations in the port.
The initiative is being jointly funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC) through a $5.9-million grant, with the balance being matched via $2.3 million cash and in-kind contributions from the seven partner tenants of the SDPTA: Cemex, Continental Maritime, Dole Food Company, Harborside Refrigerated Services and Cold Storage, Marine Group Boatworks, Pasha Group, and Terminalift.
The $5.9 million grant from the CEC—awarded in response to a January 2016 solicitation (GFO-15-604) entitled “Freight Transportation Projects at California Seaports”— will fund the development of 10 all-electric freight vehicles at the Port of San Diego.
The Energy Commission also awarded the Port of Los Angeles a $5.8-million grant for a similar project.
The project comes on the heels of EDI’s successful completion of a port project for the world’s busiest container port in Shanghai, China last spring. The company built a PHEV port truck for Shaanxi Automotive, capable of operating at 99,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW), and included electrification of the HVAC vehicle accessories to eliminate engine idling.
The program ties into the Port of San Diego’s 2013 climate action plan, focused on improving air quality in the Port of San Diego and surrounding communities.
The Port of San Diego is one of the US’ top 30 containership ports, and processes more than half a million vehicles as part of its core operations annually.
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