The project team, led by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), has built an electric top loader with a fuel cell range extender and wireless charging for demonstration at the Port of Los Angeles. This project is funded by a California Climate Investments grant awarded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 2018. The electric top loader was developed, integrated, and built by Hyster Yale Group (HYG) with a fuel cell engine provided by Nuvera and wireless charging provided by WAVE. Air Products is supplying hydrogen to the project using an HF-150 mobile fueler. Fenix Marine Services is demonstrating the electric top loader in first and second shifts for their yard, marine, and rail operations at the Port of Los Angeles.
The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate zero-emission, heavy-duty, off-road equipment for future commercialization by a major OEM. With the assembled team, this technology has the potential for widespread commercialization and significant transformation of the industry. The vertical integration of zero-emission equipment production by a large and well-regarded OEM provides a clear path towards commercialization. The project represents the commitment to develop advanced technologies that are necessary to meet California’s air quality and climate goals while achieving reductions of greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants, and toxic emissions. These emissions reductions at the Port of Los Angeles will benefit nearby disadvantaged communities.
The electric top loader successfully began its demonstration in early October 2022. It is now in regular terminal operation services and is utilizing both onsite hydrogen refueling and wireless charging deployed by the team. As the demonstration continues, the team will collect and analyze data from the electric top loader to educate the region and industry on the transition to clean energy at ports.
