The bustling Duwamish Valley in Seattle is a critical hub for freight and logistics, supporting thousands of jobs around the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle. However, this vital economic activity comes with an environmental cost. Approximately 4,000 diesel drayage trucks are constantly on the move, transporting goods from massive ships to nearby rail yards and distribution centers. These heavy duty vehicles, while essential to the supply chain, are also significant contributors to air pollution in the region.
Recognizing the urgent need for cleaner air, the City of Seattle has launched the Heavy Duty Vehicle Electrification Incentive Pilot program. This initiative is designed to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission transportation in the Duwamish Valley by offering substantial financial incentives for the deployment of new electric Heavy Duty Trucks. The program aims to bring a new generation of electric drayage trucks to the area within the next two years, paving the way for a larger scale transition as further funding opportunities become available at the federal and state levels.
Driving Clean Air: What the Incentive Program Funds
The City of Seattle is directly investing in cleaner air and a healthier community through this pilot program. Funding is specifically allocated to provide point-of-sale rebates for businesses and operators looking to integrate new electric vehicles into their fleets. These incentives are targeted towards Battery Electric Class 8 Tractor Trailer Trucks, the workhorses of heavy haulage.
The program offers a significant financial boost, covering 40% of the cost of each electric heavy duty truck, up to a maximum of $180,000 per vehicle. With a total of $1.7 million in funding available, this initiative represents a substantial commitment to electrifying heavy duty transportation and reducing emissions in the Duwamish Valley.
Who Can Apply for Heavy Duty Electric Truck Incentives?
The City of Seattle is committed to supporting a wide range of stakeholders in the transition to electric heavy duty trucks. The application process is open to both existing and new drayage fleet owners who meet specific criteria:
- Businesses must be based in Washington State.
- Applicants must provide drayage services to the Port of Seattle.
- Eligible applicants can be based within the city of Seattle or the Duwamish Valley region.
In recognition of the importance of equity and supporting small businesses, the program prioritizes applications from:
- Independent Owner Operators
- Small Drayage Fleets
- Women- and Minority-Owned Businesses
This focus ensures that the benefits of the electric truck incentive program reach those who are often most impacted by air pollution and may face greater barriers to adopting new technologies.
Why Focus on the Duwamish Valley for Electric Heavy Duty Trucks?
The Duwamish Valley, despite its economic importance, bears a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution. The constant operation of thousands of diesel engines from heavy duty trucks releases a significant amount of pollutants into the air, directly impacting the health of nearby communities.
Studies have consistently shown that neighborhoods like Beacon Hill, Georgetown, and South Park, located in and around the Duwamish Valley, experience higher levels of air pollution and childhood asthma rates compared to other areas of Seattle. Electrifying diesel heavy duty trucks is therefore a critical priority for the City of Seattle, directly addressing the disproportionate health impacts of diesel pollution.
For years, community organizations in the Duwamish Valley have been vocal advocates for the electrification of drayage trucks. This incentive program is a direct response to these community voices, representing a concrete step towards environmental justice and a healthier future for residents of the Duwamish Valley. By focusing on heavy duty electric trucks, Seattle is tackling a major source of pollution and investing in a sustainable transportation future for its port operations and surrounding communities.
Application Information & Resources
Application Deadline: Please note that the application deadline has been extended to Monday, November 6th, at 5 PM. Applications must be submitted online via the provided link.
Information Sessions:
- A past information session was held on Saturday, September 9th.
- Please stay tuned for announcements regarding future information sessions and locations.
Additional Resources:
For those interested in learning more about transitioning to electric heavy duty trucks, the following resources are available:
- Charging Resources: [Link to Charging Resources – to be added] – This section would ideally be populated with links to resources on charging infrastructure for heavy duty electric vehicles.
- Financing Resources: The table below provides contact information for financial institutions offering loans and financing options.
| Name of Institution | Offer | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Business Impact | Market rate loans up to $500k, even for low or no credit; riba-free financing. | Victor Saladana [email protected] |
| Sound Credit Union | Commercial vehicle loans up to $250,000, interest rate dependent on credit history/cash flow. | Patrick Parks (253) 383-2016 ext 2913 |
| Verity Credit Union | Commercial auto loans up to $2 million, interest rate dependent on credit history/cash flow. | Zora Aman (206) 440-9000 ext 5716 [email protected] |
| First Tech Federal Credit Union | Commercial loans up to $250,000 for truck owners who have been working 2+ years and have cash flow. | Ken Read (503) 469-7883 |
-
Incentive Resources: This section details state and federal incentive programs that can be stacked with the City of Seattle program.
- Local Utility Fleet Electrification Incentive Programs: [Link to Local Utility Programs – to be added] – This section would ideally link to relevant utility incentive programs.
- State Incentives:
- Washington State Clean Alternative Fuel Commercial Vehicle Tax Credit: Offers up to $100,000, covering 75% of the incremental cost between a diesel and electric truck. Tax credit amounts vary based on vehicle weight rating, ownership type, and conversions.
- Washington State Clean Alternative Fuel Commercial Vehicle Infrastructure Tax Credit: Provides 50% coverage of eligible infrastructure costs.
- Learn more about these tax credits.
- Federal Incentives: [Link to Federal Incentives – to be added] – This section would ideally link to relevant federal incentive programs for electric heavy duty trucks.
By taking advantage of the City of Seattle’s Heavy Duty Vehicle Electrification Incentive Pilot and exploring additional state and federal resources, fleet operators can make a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future while upgrading their heavy duty truck fleets.
