The movement of freight and goods from the commercial ports to consumers represents a vital component of U.S. transportation infrastructure and the U.S. economy. Seaports and distribution networks are economic drivers for jobs and development, and entry points for goods used throughout the country. They also cause significant local air and greenhouse gas emissions, and the medium/heavy duty truck fleets that move goods from ports cause problems well beyond the boundaries of the ports. The environmental footprint is significant, both because of the volume of activity and because ports/distribution centers tend to be located in areas that already experience heavy automobile and truck traffic that create smog, particulate matter, and ozone pollution. Areas of California suffer environmental conditions that cause breathing and heart-related health problems and health costs.

Hydrogen-fueled fuel cell electric vehicles are entering the California automobile vehicle market, and hydrogen fuel cell fork lift trucks are commercially purchased by product distribution centers and factories today. More than ever, it becomes noticeable that there are variety of potential hydrogen and fuel cell on and off road vehicles, including cargo handling equipment, that generate zero emissions energy at the point of use, and well to wheels, zero emission energy when the hydrogen is produced from renewable sources, everyone's long term goal.