Volvo Trucks North America customer Tradelink Transport, a minority-owned trucking company based in Compton, California, is advancing sustainable freight transportation by deploying 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks for drayage operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

In addition to its battery-electric trucks, Tradelink operates a diverse fleet of 48 trucks that includes 21 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks and 12 traditional diesel-powered trucks. This strategic mix allows Tradelink to deploy the most efficient and environmentally friendly truck available for each route. The addition of the Volvo VNR Electric trucks strengthens the company’s ability to serve its customers while advancing its sustainability goals and paving the way for cleaner port drayage operations.

Tradelink’s battery-electric fleet primarily operates within a 100-mile radius, making runs to the Inland San Bernardino and Riverside areas in the mornings, followed by shorter local moves in the afternoons. The trucks operate five to six days a week, returning to base each evening to be charged overnight.

To ensure a seamless integration of battery-electric trucks into its operations, Tradelink partnered with Volvo Trucks and TEC Equipment – La Mirada, a Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer. Using Volvo Trucks’ Electric Performance Generator (EPG) route planning tool, the team analyzed real-world operating conditions to determine the most efficient routes for the Volvo VNR Electric trucks. The EPG tool evaluates key factors such as vehicle configuration, battery capacity, terrain, temperature, and traffic patterns, ensuring optimal performance and uptime.

Deploying electric trucks at scale requires investment in charging infrastructure. To support the 15 battery-electric truck acquisition, Tradelink worked with TEC Equipment - La Mirada to leverage California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), Carl Moyer Program, and the Southern California Edison Drayage Rebate. Tradelink also participated in Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Charge Ready Transport Infrastructure program, which covered the civil construction of its five-acre facility through an SCE-approved contractor, with additional work completed by Brytemove Energy. To support further their infrastructure investment, Tradelink received funds through an EnergIIZE grant from the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program that is implemented by CALSTART. Tradelink’s facility features an advanced charging network that includes six ABB Terra 184 chargers and one ABB Terra 350 with dual dispensers.