Lead the Way on Clean Freight
The Issue
California’s freight sector is vital to our economy. But it’s also a major source of deadly diesel pollution, contributing to some of the worst air quality in the country in frontline communities near ports, railyards, freeways, and warehouse hubs. The state is making progress, but it needs to move faster to protect these communities with cleaner freight.
of U.S. container imports enter through California ports
of California’s toxic diesel pollution comes from freight
The Solution
California can protect its frontline communities and become a national leader on clean freight by setting a goal of 50% of truck miles traveled by zero-emission trucks by 2035, and putting a plan in place to get there. The State Transportation Agency has a big role to play, including by incentivizing clean freight vehicles on freeways and railways, supporting zero-emission zones, investing in charging and fueling infrastructure, and advancing pricing policies that make clean freight the easy and economical choice.
Here are three actions your administration can take:
Plan for a Clean Freight Future
ACTION Launch a Clean Freight Future Plan that builds on the CTC’s SB 671 clean freight corridor assessment and identifies specific infrastructure projects, investments, and incentives. The plan should identify projects that implement pricing signals, operational strategies, and zero-emission truck-only lanes which could be implemented on freeways to improve goods movement and safety for passenger vehicles, as well as identify potential state and federal funding pots to fund the projects.
WHY IT MATTERS California needs a clear vision for a clean freight future, including the infrastructure needed to get there and where it should be located to avoid harming vulnerable communities. The plan should guide future state investments, prevent new pollution near frontline communities, and identify strategies to eliminate harmful impacts from existing sources, including zero-emission zones around ports, railyards, warehouses, and urban cores where clean vehicles can operate or be prioritized.
Prioritize Clean Freight in TCEP
ACTION Establish a minimum 50% investment target in the state Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) to support implementation of the Clean Freight Future Plan and electric charging infrastructure along priority clean freight corridors.
WHY IT MATTERS TCEP has historically funded highway expansion in order to move freight faster, but widening highways doesn’t improve congestion and increases pollution in frontline communities. Directing half of TCEP funding to priority Clean Freight Future investments would improve freight movement, support economic development, and reduce pollution, while protecting Californians from unpredictable cost increases on everyday goods due to diesel prices.
Consider On-Demand Delivery Fees for Clean Freight and Safe Streets
from households earning over $150,000 than those earning under $50,000
ACTION Consider establishing a retail delivery fee on rapid, on-demand delivery of goods purchased online to fund zero-emission freight infrastructure and safer neighborhood streets, while encouraging bundled orders and more efficient delivery trips. The fee should be carefully designed to avoid placing a disproportionate burden on low-income Californians, including through targeted exemptions and fee waivers on groceries, medicine and other essentials.
WHY IT MATTERS On-demand deliveries have significantly increased vehicle trips in neighborhoods, generating pollution and traffic, especially near warehouse hubs. A fee on rapid delivery would generate revenue to invest in cleaner freight and safer streets in neighborhoods burdened by truck and delivery traffic. The fee should include safeguards such as applying only to optional rapid delivery, exempting grocery, pharmacy, and SNAP/EBT orders, and providing fee waivers or rebates for low-income households.