LA and Long Beach Propose Electric Truck Incentives

Operators may soon receive $60 per trip to help offset the costs of transitioning to all-electric cargo trucks.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Isometric editorial illustration showing a stylized battery-electric semi-truck in a port shipping corridor, representing electric cargo transition policy. — The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have proposed a $60 million incentive program, offering $60 per trip to encourage operators to adopt electric cargo trucks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are proposing a $60 million incentive program to accelerate the adoption of battery-electric trucks. Operators could receive $60 per trip to help offset the high operational costs of switching to zero-emission vehicles.

Why it matters

The program aims to help the trucking industry bridge the significant cost gap of electric transition while keeping supply lines moving toward upcoming clean-air mandates. Currently, only 4% of trucks visiting these ports operate with zero emissions.

The proposed plan offers $60 per one-way trip, capped at $36,000 per truck annually, funded by a $10 fee on existing diesel rigs. This supplements the $10,000 one-time payments already available to early electric truck adopters.

The players

Port of Los Angeles

A major maritime gateway managing cargo flow and infrastructure sustainability goals.

Port of Long Beach

A critical West Coast shipping hub focused on long-term carbon emission reduction.

Harbor Trucking Association

An advocacy group representing the interests of regional drayage and trucking operators.

The details

The incentive program uses funds gathered from a $10 clean truck fee charged to diesel vehicles to subsidize the shift toward battery-electric alternatives. By offering a per-move payout, the ports aim to lower the daily operating expenses for electric truck owners who face high upfront purchase costs. These incentives are designed to help reach state-wide goals, such as the Port of Los Angeles target of transitioning short-distance cargo trucks to all-electric by 2035.

2022: Ports began raising money via a $10 clean truck fee.
End of 2025: California reached 2,075 total zero-emission truck registrations.
2030: Port of Los Angeles target for zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment.
2035: Port of Los Angeles target for short-distance electric trucks.
2050: Port of Long Beach target for carbon neutrality.

The Home Front

This incentive program mirrors larger efforts to modernize logistics infrastructure through state-regulated emissions standards. It follows the precedent of California's Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, which has already distributed $1 billion to support zero-emission transport.

If you operate a commercial trucking business or are considering entering the industry, monitor port official channels for the final rollout of the per-move payment program. Tracking these port-specific financial offsets is essential for calculating the long-term feasibility of electric fleet investments.

The takeaway

The move toward electric drayage is becoming increasingly supported by port-level financial incentives designed to mitigate the cost of diesel alternatives. Interested operators should track the development of the $60 per-move program as a potential offset for future vehicle acquisitions.