The port’s E-fleet is growing! 2023 brought two new electric vehicles to the Port of Vancouver USA. They join the port’s two Ford electric E-Transit vans, a plug-in hybrid Optima and an all-electric Polaris Ranger all-terrain vehicle (ATV). As outlined in its Climate Action Plan and in an effort to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the port is working to electrify its fleet.  

The Ford Mach-E will replace an older hybrid Ford Escape, used primarily for port administrative tasks. The Ford Lightning pickup truck is the first of six originally ordered in 2022 but was delayed due to supply issues. The port will receive a second one by the end of this calendar year and anticipates receiving the remaining four from the original order in 2024. These zero-emission trucks will be used by facilities, terminal operations and security departments. The port is looking to order seven additional all-electric pickup trucks and SUV’s for security, safety, rail and terminal operations departments in 2024.

With new EV’s comes the need for more charging infrastructure. The port is preparing for 26 additional charging stations in 2024 and up to six additional public access stations (including fast chargers) at its administration building in 2025.  

Heavy Industrial Equipment Going Electric, Too 

The port is also working to electrify its industrial equipment when possible. Recently, the port has ordered one Hyster J70XN Electric Forklift. This piece is helpful in moving materials and smaller pieces of equipment in the port’s facilities yard. It’s also got its eye on a Toyota THDE3000-24 30,000 lb. capacity electric forklift to replace a current 1978 diesel-powered forklift, and has applied for a grant from the Washington State Dept. of Ecology to fund the purchase. This forklift will be used to move heavy loads on solid surfaces around the terminal and maintenance shop. 

The evolution to all-electric in the heavy equipment industry is ongoing, and an electric alternative isn’t always available (yet). In these cases, the port is working toward the goal of lowering GHG emissions using renewable diesel. After a successful trial run in a small amount of port-owned equipment in 2022, the program expanded in early 2023 to switch all port-operated diesel equipment to renewable diesel which has an average of 65% lower GHG emissions than diesel derived from fossil fuel. 

Other businesses at the port are electrifying as well. For instance: NuTech, a business at the port’s Centennial Industrial Park, has installed multiple EV charging stations in its parking lot. Subaru recently added the all-electric Solterra model to their vehicle line-up which comes through the port and have installed multiple EV charging stations to support their growth into the EV market. 

In addition to producing zero tailpipe emissions, which means less carbon emissions and smog-forming air pollution which benefits the health of our community and the environment, the transition to EV’s will result in lower operational costs for fuel expenses and lower maintenance costs. 

The port’s Climate Action Plan sets the goal of replacing its existing fossil fuel powered fleet with electric or hybrid options – including the necessary charging infrastructure – by 2035. The plan also sets a goal of replacing the use of diesel with low carbon fuels, such as renewable diesel, by 2025. With the new EV’s it’s bringing to its fleet and the use of renewable diesel, the Port of Vancouver USA is accelerating toward its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 – and we don’t plan to slow down.