Port of San Diego to Begin Environmental Review for Zero Emissions Truck Stop

The Port of San Diego is considering a proposal for a zero emissions (ZE) truck stop in West National City. In March 2024, the Board selected Skychargers, LLC (Skycharger) to negotiate a project to build and operate an approximately 4.8-acre ZE truck stop at 19th Street and Tidelands Avenue. At its meeting on September 10, 2024, the Board of Port Commissioners directed Port staff to commence environmental review for the proposed project.

A ZE truck stop project would support the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) and its “Health Equity for All” vision – specifically, the goal to achieve 40 percent zero emission (ZE) heavy-duty (HD) truck trips to and from the Port’s marine cargo terminals by June 30, 2026, and 100 percent ZE HD truck trips by December 31, 2030.

Proposal Details
Skycharger proposes to build an approximate 4.8-acre ZE truck stop with 70 charging ports of varying levels to support opportunity and overnight charging. Proposed amenities include a convenience store and a restroom facility. To ensure energy reliability and operational resiliency, Skycharger is proposing a 1,750-kW solar array with no larger than a 2.5 MW/5MWh (power rating/energy capacity) battery system for its distributed energy resources. Skycharger is also developing a Trucking as a Service (TaaS) program. TaaS is a term in the ZE trucking world used to describe an opt-in business model for truck drivers to pay a monthly program fee for the truck lease, charging, and maintenance, equal or less than the actual cost. The TaaS program would include a 90-day “try before you buy” program and a five-year path to ownership. Thanks to programs such as the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Innovative Small E-Fleets (ISEF), Skycharger’s proposed TaaS program is eligible to receive vouchers for $336,000 per new Class 8 ZE truck and $195,500 for Class 6 and 7 ZE trucks, among other public funding assistance sources. Additionally, on August 14, 2024, the California Energy Commission (CEC) awarded Skycharger a $10 million grant for the project. These financial incentives allow the TaaS program to offer ZE trucks to drivers with a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than the diesel trucks they are replacing. Another component of Skycharger’s proposal is a Community Benefit program that is currently under development with the City of National City and its residents. The Port and Skycharger are committed to ongoing conversations with the city, community and stakeholders about community concerns and potential impacts and how to address them. Focus areas that will be further studied will include impacts to roads, traffic, and battery fire prevention which Port staff plans to address during environmental review and lease negotiations.

Next Steps
As directed by the Board, Port staff will begin the environmental review process under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The resulting Environmental Impact Report (EIR), lease, and a Coastal Development permit, among other entitlements and permits, will be presented to the Port Board to consider for approval and are required before construction can begin. 

Skycharger Background
Established in 2013, Skycharger submitted a proposal to the Port in partnership with Burns & McDonnell and Skyview Ventures. Skyview Ventures is the financing partner responsible for all costs related to financing, design, procurement, installation, operation, and maintenance. 

Skycharger has experience building ZE infrastructure for the West Coast Electric Highway DC fast charger network, which is the fourth largest charging network in California, and is in the process of constructing the PepsiCo LA Mega Facility in Torrance, California. Burns & McDonnell has been providing energy consulting and electrical engineering services to the Port under an as-needed energy services contract since 2016.

Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS)
The Board of Port Commissioners approved the Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) in October 2021 to help the Port identify future projects and initiatives to improve environmental and public health through cleaner air for all who live, work, and play on and around San Diego Bay while also supporting efficient, modern and sustainable maritime operations. Its “Health Equity for All” vision represents the Port’s commitment to environmental justice, technological innovation, and transparent governance. The MCAS is the most ambitious clean air strategy policy document of its kind in the State of California. The MCAS includes nearly 40 objectives that, if achieved, would represent emission reductions that go beyond what current State regulation and policy requires.

In support of the MCAS, the Port and various partners have invested or committed nearly $125 million in clean air technologies and projects. Notable among these initiatives include:

• The Port of San Diego is the first in North America to have all-electric mobile harbor cranes, which are in operation at the Port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
• The first all-electric harbor tugboat in the U.S., built and operated by Crowley, began operating in San Diego Bay in spring 2024. 
• A new solar-powered microgrid is online at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
• A maritime emissions capture and control system (also known as a bonnet) at the Port’s cargo terminals is anticipated to begin operating in 2025.
• Shore power installation at the National City Marine Terminal, and additional shore power capability added at the Port’s cruise terminals.
• Electrification of the Port fleet.
• Tenant electrification:
  • Terminalift – electric reach stacker, forklifts, semi-trucks, and golf carts.
  • SSA Marine – six new pieces of electric cargo handling equipment, including a recently deployed forklift.
  • Pasha – first all-electric car haulers in the U.S.
  • Dole – first on the West Coast to use battery-electric utility tractor rigs (UTRs) for cargo handling.