Newly published data by Southern California’s Port of Long Beach (POLB) shows that introducing newer diesel trucks has improved air quality for the communities located near the ports, according to the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF).

“The emissions inventory just released from the Ports of Long Beach demonstrates how the introduction of the latest clean diesel technology can support economic growth and generate substantial air quality improvements for communities located near freight facilities,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

According to the data, trucks serving the POLB in 2019 accounted for 7 tons of fine particle (PM 2.5) emissions, down from 186 tons in 2005 — a 97% reduction, largely due to the introduction of new technology diesel trucks. The Clean Trucks Program, which was a joint venture of the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, requires all trucks to meet the latest tailpipe emissions standard for PM 2.5, with new trucks entering service in the port as of 2018 meeting the near-zero tailpipe emissions standard for ozone-forming compounds (NOx) as well.

According to the data, 90% of the approximate 14,000 trucks entering and exiting marine terminals in southern California are powered by diesel, with 65% of them using the latest generation diesel technology to achieve near-zero emissions performance for both NOx and PM 2.5.

According to DTF, this newly published data also shows that states and regions around the country, especially those near freight facilities, should push to accelerate the move to using the latest generation diesel technology as a cost-effective way to deliver cleaner air.