The Northwest Seaport Alliance launches incentive program for zero-emission drayage

The Northwest Seaport Alliance recently announced the inaugural incentive program for zero-emission truck and charging deployment. The NWSA identified Zeem Solutions as the awarded subrecipient. Zeem has a proven track record in the deployment of ZEVs and charging infrastructure, but this will be its first deployment in Washington State.

“We are grateful for the partner we have found in Zeem,” John McCarthy, NWSA co-chair and Port of Tacoma Commission president, said. “This transition is a necessary but expensive one, and we need all the partners at the table that we can get. Funding from the Washington State Legislature and their recognition of the importance of decarbonizing ports were key to making this happen, and continued investment and partnership will be crucial to future iterations of this program. The absolute scale of the transition for trucks and ports to a zero-emission future is a journey no one entity can do on their own.”

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Made possible by a $6.2 million grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation, the incentives will collectively bring 19 zero-emission trucks and charging to the Puget Sound region. This grant serves as a catalyst for private investment from project participants, with Zeem and its fleet partners contributing a substantial portion of the total project costs.

The Zeem project also includes building out a charging site that will enable 250 vehicles to charge per day, with parking capacity for 70 vehicles overnight. The charging site will be located near the new I-5 exit ramp just south of SeaTac Airport, along SR-99 (International Boulevard/Pacific Highway), convenient for nearby warehouse and distribution centers that handle a significant amount of deliveries by truck.

Additionally, the Zeem site will serve other fleets operating light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric commercial vehicles. The charging site will break ground in the fall of 2025, with the ZEVs expected on the road by 2026.

“We are thankful to the Northwest Seaport Alliance for helping the region adopt electric trucks, and we invite truck operators to experience how well they are matched to the job of hauling drayage,” Paul Gioupis, CEO of Zeem Solutions, said. “We have served truck fleets for several years, and our goal is to make it a compelling business decision for fleets that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.”