SoCal Ports to Help Test Alternative-Energy Vehicles

A hydrogen fuel cell/plug-in electric truck and a terminal tractor powered by the same method will be built and tested at the Port of Long Beach, Calif., under an agreement with Vision Motor Corp., El Segundo, Calif.

The port will contribute $425,000 and the neighboring Port of Los Angeles will give $212,000 to the alternative-fuel project, which is expected to cost about $1 million, according to the agreement.

“The ports and Vision are working together to do the prototype,” said Lee Peterson, spokesman for the Port of Long Beach.

Once built, the tractor will operate at port terminals and the truck will be tested by California Cartage Co., Long Beach, and Total Transportation Services Inc., Rancho Dominguez, Calif., both of which operate at the ports.