Green trucks funding

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a US$1.3m Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant to South Carolina (SC) Ports. The grant will be used to support project partners A&R Logistics and Benore Logistic Systems as they deploy all-electric, energy-efficient trucks in place of diesel trucks.

“SC Ports is consistently looking for ways to make our operations more sustainable and efficient,” said SC Ports’ chief operating officer, Barbara Melvin. “The support from the EPA through the $1.3 million DERA grant, and the bold initiative taken by A&R Logistics and Benore to deploy the electric trucks, serve as a great model for companies looking to create a more sustainable supply chain.”

Cutting air pollution

A&R Logistics and Benore Logistic Systems will use the funds to replace a combined eight diesel freight haulers with new zero emission, battery electric-powered tractor trucks. When operating, the Peterbilt electric vehicles do not create exhaust or harmful byproducts.

Benore will deploy six trucks in the Upstate to support the movement of cargo from BMW Manufacturing Co.’s plant to SC Ports’ rail-served Inland Port Greer.

A&R Logistics will deploy one truck to move cargo between its new 615,000-square-foot export facility in Moncks Corner and the Port of Charleston; the other will be deployed in the Savannah area.

Replacing older diesel vehicles with electric vehicles significantly reduces the amount of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions being released into the environment over a vehicle’s lifetime.

The Peterbilt electric vehicles will also showcase the efficiencies of zero-emission vehicles, such as reduced maintenance and vehicle repairs by up to 40% compared to diesel vehicles.