Vision Electric Truck

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — January 15, 2009 — Expanding its commitment to bringing cutting-edge, zero-emission solutions to port operations, the Port of Los Angeles is entering into negotiations with Los Angeles-based Vision Industries for the purchase and evaluation of Visions hydrogen fuel cell hybrid-electric trucks. The heavy-duty big-rigs will be tested to evaluate their suitability for short and medium distance cargo-hauling (or drayage) operations, and other similar applications.

Vision Industries has been marketing its Class 8 zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell hybrid-electric truck for more than a year and will now work with the Port of Los Angeles to further evaluate its performance in the rigorous port trucking environment. The Vision trucks are powered by a combination of a hydrogen fuel cell and lithium batteries and have a potential range of up to 400 miles.

Los Angeles has been the worldwide leader in reductions in port emissions with initiatives like our highly successful Clean Air Action Plan and Clean Truck Program, said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Our commitment to working with companies that develop zero-emission trucks is another important strategy in our plan to grow Los Angeles green by being a catalyst in testing and bringing to market the most promising emission reduction technologies.

The Ports partnership with Vision Industries reflects our unwavering commitment to pursuing sustainable clean air solutions for the long-term, said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. Our success with the Clean Truck Program has motivated us to continue to be at the cutting edge of zero-emission transportation solutions that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We are very pleased to work with the Port of Los Angeles to demonstrate the viability of our zero emission, hybrid electric/hydrogen fuel cell truck, said Martin Schuermann, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vision Industries. "These vehicles are 30 percent to 40 percent less expensive to operate than diesel trucks. We expect a strong market demand once these trucks are in the hands of California medium and heavy duty equipment operators."

The Ports Clean Truck Program, which began in October 2008, has removed thousands of polluting trucks from the Port and delivered at least an 80 percent reduction in air emissions while maintaining an efficient drayage fleet.

Looking forward, the Port of Los Angeles believes that zero emission vehicles will be necessary in coming years in order to contribute to achieving the goals for the transportation and port sectors under Californias AB32 greenhouse gas reduction legislation and the Citys GreenLA initiative. This has led the Port to begin planning for a transition to zero emission vehicles over the next decade.

The Vision Industries trucks will be put through a series of on-road and laboratory tests to demonstrate its usefulness in a variety of drayage duty cycles, including different loads, road conditions and travel distances. Local drayage trucking companies are expected to assist with the demonstration over the next 12 to 18 months, and the University of California at Riversides College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) laboratories will help guide the data collection and analysis.

CE-CERTs partnership with the Port of Los Angeles on this project is expected to help demonstrate the utility of zero emission vehicles in a variety of medium and heavy-duty vehicle applications that extend beyond the port setting. The Port of Los Angeles will be submitting a proposal for funding from the California Energy Commission to help support this project. The California Energy Commission has established an Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program to develop and deploy advanced transportation technologies to help attain the states climate change policies.

The Port of Los Angeles will continue working with Balqon Corporation, another Class 8 electric vehicle manufacturer, through an existing contract to demonstrate the use of its fully electric vehicle. The CE-CERT laboratories will also guide these evaluations.

The Port of Los Angeles is Americas premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars.

The Port of Los Angeles A cleaner port. A brighter future.

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[H2wins]

The table is big enough for both NG and H2 and I agree with you that breaking OPEC's back will be a noble achievement. 2.2 million transportation vehicles consume approximately 25% of all vehicular fuels consumed in the US today.

[DRSmetal]

Well we agree to disagree NG is available and abundant all over the U.S. Why not use NG fuel as a bridge first- just for commercial transportation fleet and that would break OPEC'S back? Then we can move into hydrogen.

[H2wins]

I believe that you are going to be very surprised by the extent of the hydrogen refueling infrastructure that will be in place within the next 5 to 10 years.

Please keep in mind that these zero emission big rigs were not supposed to exist for another 10 to 15 years.

[DRSmetal]

I was never against the use of Hydrogen. It be available for the Port, but the rest of the county- hydrogen is so expensive to distribute. It may take 3 decades to get around.

[H2wins]

Apparently you are not up to speed on your fuel costs. Hydrogen is available in the Port for 35 to 50% cheaper per mile than natural gas.

[DRSmetal]

I'm ok with this but why not use natural gas instead which is cheaper?