Cleaner trucks clean up the air

The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore’s Dray Truck Replacement Programme has set a goal to replace 20 existing dray trucks with newer and cleaner models by Earth Day on 22 April 2021. The initiative will help improves air quality round the port.

“The Dray Truck Replacement Program has been a significant contributor to reducing pollutants and cleaning the air around the Port of Baltimore,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) executive director, William P. Doyle. “We strongly urge truck owners to take advantage of this unique opportunity that will help them purchase a newer, cleaner truck.”

Green financial incentive

Dubbed ‘Dollars For Drays’, the programme helps truck owners pay for new trucks and remove older diesel models from service. Qualifying truck owner-operators and fleet owners are offered a rebate of 50% (up to a maximum of $30,000) toward the cost of a newer, cleaner truck. Grant funding comes from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program, and from Maryland’s Volkswagen mitigation agreement in coordination with the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Since 2012, a total of 244 trucks have been replaced through the Dollars for Drays programme. In addition to dray trucks, the port’s Diesel Equipment Upgrade Programme has replaced, repowered or retrofitted a variety of cargo-handling equipment, locomotive engines and marine engines. Overall, the port’s diesel emission reduction projects have helped lessen air pollution emissions at the port by more than 5,100t.