Zero-emission trucks, such as hybrid-electric trucks receiving power along major roadways (similar to light-rail trains and buses in some cities), could be in demonstration in the next few years and eventually be part of a zero-emission corridor along the busy I-710 Freeway leaving the Ports of Los Angeles, according to a recent study.

The findings by Calstart, an independent California-based organization that evaluates and works to commecialize clean transportation technology, supports assumptions that have been presented at community meetings for the I-710 Corridor Project.

Long a problem area for traffic congestion and poor air quality, the busy I-710 Corridor is a major truck route between the LA-area ports and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe/Union Pacific rail yards in the cities of Commerce and Vernon. Among key community concerns is how proposed transportation projects address and/or improve diesel particulate emissions from diesel trucks.

A Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the I-710 Corridor, released at the end of June, presents transportation alternatives that can improve future conditions in the I-710 Corridor. This effort is conducted by Metro and six partner agencies and is focused on 18 miles of the 710 between the Ports of long Beach and Los Angeles and the Pomona Freeway (SR-60).

The I-710 Draft EIR/EIS contains alternatives that address air quality, safety, mobility; two alternatives include a freight corridor to be used by trucks with zero tailpipe emissions (zero-emission trucks).

To better inform the public on zero-emission trucks, Calstart was tasked to evaluate if zero-emission trucks are technically feasible and if they are, how soon could they be commercially available. Funding for the report was provided by Metro and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The Calstart report found that the technology needed to produce zero-emission trucks already exists and that there are a few zero and near-zero emission truck demonstration projects throughout the country currently being evaluated. Furthermore, if an alternative requiring zero-emission trucks is selected, commercial production of zero-emission trucks can occur between the years of 2018 and 2034.

The study, "Technologies, Challenges & Opportunities I-710 Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Vehicle Systems" is available via Metro's Countywide Zero-Emission Truck Collaborative Web page.

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