California ports are considering subsidies of $60 a trip for truckers as the steep costs of zero-emission fleets strain operators, even as diesel prices reach $8 a gallon.
The proposal reflects the financial pressure facing trucking companies that have invested in electric big rigs. Although diesel is far more expensive than it has been in recent years, many operators still find that battery-electric trucks cost more to buy and run than their conventional counterparts.
The subsidy under consideration would aim to narrow that gap and help truckers cover the expense of switching to zero-emission equipment. Port officials are weighing the option as they pursue cleaner air goals along one of the nation's busiest freight corridors.
The report, published by the Wall Street Journal's US Business desk, highlights the central challenge for the transition: clean trucks must become economically competitive, not just environmentally preferable, before fleets can adopt them at scale.
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing