The Port of Los Angeles has unveiled the world’s first zero-emissions top handlers as it steps up efforts to achieve environmentally-friendly operations.
In a statement, the Port said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti showcased two pre-commercial battery-electric top handlers that will be tested at the Everport Container Terminal in celebration of California Clean Air Day.
Speaking at the unveiling, Mayor Garcetti said: “Every Angeleno deserves to know that future generations will inherit a sustainable city and a livable planet — and that our air, water, and natural resources will be protected and preserved.
“Clean Air Day gives L.A. an opportunity to show what it means to put our principles into practice with cleaner transportation, goods movement, and energy sources — to leave a healthier world for our children and grandchildren.”
Gene Seroka, the Port’s
Executive Director, also spoke:
“Today shows we are making good on our pledge to do the hard
work of advancing commercially feasible solutions to meet our goal of
transitioning all cargo handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030.
“We’re excited to power up these battery-electric top handlers and test them under the real-world conditions of a working container terminal.”
The battery-electric top handlers were designed and built in the US by Taylor Machine Works, Inc., a leading heavy-duty equipment manufacturer and the largest supplier of top handlers in service at the Port.
Also known as top picks, top handlers are off-road vehicles with an overhead boom for loading containers weighing up to 75,000 pounds onto trucks and trains, unloading them and stacking them on terminals between pickups and deliveries.
Each top handler has a data logger for tracking hours of operation, charging frequency, energy usage and other performance indicators.
The data collection process also involves obtaining from all demonstration participants, including the drivers and mechanics who will operate and maintain the top handlers.
The top handlers will be tested over a 12-month period, which is expected to begin by the end of 2019. The Port and its partners will also evaluate the functionality of the connections and systems for charging top handlers.
The battery-electric top handlers are a key component of the Port’s $7.7 million Everport Advanced Cargo Handling Demonstration Project.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is supporting the large-scale zero-emissions technology project with a $4.5 million sustainability grant.
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