Mack Trucks will demonstrate two zero-emission capable drayage trucks as part of a California-based heavy-duty truck development project led by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The manufacturer will receive funding for the vehicle through a $23.6-million grant from the State of California aimed at reducing air pollution at freight-intensive locations throughout the state.

As one of the truck manufacturers selected to receive funding, Mack will focus on ultra-low NOx technologies and advancing plug-in hybrid and geo-fencing capabilities that it has already explored in previous and on-going projects.

The goal of the zero-emission capable drayage truck project is to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at locations like ports, rail yards and the freight corridors connecting them where there is a higher concentration of freight volume and truck traffic.

Mack’s efforts will build on it experience designing and demonstrating a plug-in electric drayage truck based on a Mack Pinnacle daycab model.

Mack already showed off a version of the drayage truck, which was built during an earlier SCAQMD-sponsored project. It is currently undergoing testing and evaluation in a drayage fleet at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

The hybrid truck integrates a Mack MP7 diesel engine with a parallel hybrid system and lithium-ion battery back. The prototype truck also features lightweight and aerodynamic-enhancing components, which were included to extend the benefits of the hybrid technology and improve the vehicle’s zero-emission range.

The truck also makes use of a geo-fencing technology that designates areas with the heaviest freight traffic as a zero-emission zone where the truck operates in pure electric mode. When outside of the geo-fence, the diesel engine is enabled allowing for hybrid operation and battery recharging.

“This unique collaborative effort is aimed at fostering the development of advanced zero-emission truck technologies that are vital to improving air quality in communities near our busy freight corridors,” said Joe Buscaino, Los Angeles City Councilman and SCAQMD board member. “Cleaner truck fleets on our roadways are important for air quality and climate goals, and essential to protecting public health.”