The Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Port of Long Beach are now taking applications for financial assistance from truck owners seeking to upgrade their older trucks using state-funded California Air Resources Board grants.


The funds were granted in support of the ports' Clean Truck programs. With a new truck replacement, operators are expected to save on maintenance and fuel while helping the ports achieve their goal of reducing port truck fleet pollution roughly 80 percent by 2012.

The ports are offering subsidies of as much as 80 percent for qualifying vehicle owners who participate in the leasing and grant program.

The ports are providing financial assistance to accelerate the transition to clean trucks and offering the option of three financing plans: a lease-to-own program, grants for the purchase of a new truck and grants to retrofit an older truck.

Under the lease-to-own program, an applicant can exchange an old truck for a pre-approved new truck under a seven-year lease agreement. The monthly lease payment under this option will be $500 to $600 for a clean diesel truck, and $500 to $1,000 for an alternative fuel truck. At the end of the lease term, the Port will provide a subsidy towards the purchase of the truck for the lessee, 50 percent of the remaining balance or about $7,500 for a diesel truck and $13,000 for an alternative fuel truck.

With a grant for truck purchase program, an applicant can exchange an older truck for a pre-approved new truck with a Port grant. Qualified applicants can be awarded as much as 80 percent of the cost of the truck.

Under both programs, scrapping the old truck is required and prepaid, preventive maintenance (worth as much as $200 a month) is included.

A third option, a grant for engine retrofit, is also available. Here the ports will provide a one-time grant (as much as $20,000) towards the purchase of qualifying retrofit equipment for model year 1994 to 2003 trucks.

The Clean Truck Program progressively bans old, polluting trucks from entering Port shipping terminals beginning October 1, 2008, when all 1988 and older trucks will be banned. On January 1, 2010, 1989-1993 trucks will be banned from port terminals along with unretrofitted 1994-2003 trucks.

On January 1, 2012, all trucks that do not meet the 2007 federal clean truck emission standard will be banned from port terminals. Trucks that meet the federal 2007 emission standard produce 80 percent less air pollution than older trucks.

Interested parties can call 888-KLN-TRUX (888-556-8789) or visit the Clean Truck Center on Terminal Island at Pier S Avenue and New Dock Street.

For more information about California Air Resources Board (CARB) grants from Proposition 1B funds, visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/bonds/gmbond/gmbond.htm.