The Port of San Pedro Bay, California, under the purview of the Port of Los Angeles, is looking to take the lead among port authorities in the switch to green technology. Port authorities have coordinated with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to commission an all-electric short-haul truck from Balqon Corp. The result is the Balqon Nautilus E30 electric truck, which will replace yard tractors in bringing orders from the port to the nearby rail station. San Pedro Bay ordered 20 Balqon Nautilus E30s after a Balqon demo truck was used by the Los Angeles Harbor Commission last year.
The Balqon Nautilus E30 and the supporting EV infrastructure took $5.6 million to develop, including $527,000 for the vehicle itself, and its performance features should provide a solid return on investment for port officials. The Nautilus E30 can pull 60,000 pounds worth of cargo containers for up to 60 miles per battery charge. Port drivers will be able to put the pedal to the floor and get 40 miles per hour with the help of a 100hp electric motor and a 336V lead-acid battery pack. Balqon also developed an 80kW battery charger for the port’s central station, which can charge four short-haul trucks up to 60% capacity within 60 minutes.
San Pedro Bay and Los Angeles port officials are looking at the dual benefits of reducing fuel prices and cutting emissions while using the Balqon Nautilus E30. The port’s current fleet of short-haul tractors and trucks made 1.2 million trips from port to railroad in 2006, accounting for 35,605 tons of greenhouse emissions throughout the year. By eliminating the entirety of these emissions, SCAQMD and port authorities can poke holes in arguments used by city officials regarding the feasibility of eco-friendly ports.
For area residents and officials, the cost efficiency of running the Nautilus E30 may prove to be the best argument for wider implementation. According to studies by the Port of Los Angeles, the Balqon Nautilus E30 costs about 20 cents per mile to operate based on current electrical rates. The existing fleet of diesel-powered trucks and tractors can cost $1.80 per mile to run due to fluctuating fuel and maintenance costs. The success of the Balqon Nautilus E30 in San Pedro Bay may be the first step toward all-electric ports that will keep coastal areas clear of emissions.
