The Port of Los Angeles has deployed the United States’ first battery powered electric cargo top handlers as it furthers is goal of becoming a zero-emission (ZE) port.

Typically diesel-powered, top handlers are off-road vehicles with an overhead boom for loading containers weighing up to 75,000 lbs. (34 T) onto trucks and trains, unloading them and stacking them on terminals between pickups and deliveries.

In 2019, the Port of Los Angeles was the first in the world to begin testing ZE top handler prototypes designed and built by Taylor Machine Works.

The rigorous real-world testing of battery-powered prototypes helped inform the final design of the Taylor commercial units put into service at Yusen Terminals.

“These all-electric cargo top handlers are the culmination of years of rigorous real-world prototype testing and development here at our port,” said Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka. 

“I commend Yusen Terminals for its vision and leadership. Our collective commitment to pursuing this technology has paid off, helping prove this equipment’s commercial viability.”   

The new Taylor ZLC 996 top handlers are powered by a 650 V all-electric battery power drivetrain, capable of running two-full shifts under normal work cycles, then ready-to-go after a five-hour boost using a 180 W recharger.

There are currently 215 diesel top handlers used throughout the Port of Los Angeles, which account for about 30% of all emissions from cargo-handling equipment in operation at the Port’s terminals. 

Promoting the commercial use of ZE top handlers is one of many strategies underway at the Port to boost the market for new emission-free technologies.

Toward that goal, last month the port applied to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a USD412 million grant to support deployment of 424 pieces of ZE cargo handling equipment, 250 ZE drayage trucks and USD50 million for community ZE initiatives. 

If awarded, the EPA million grant would be matched with an additional USD233 million by the port and several private sector partners and result in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by nearly 41,500 T.

The Yusen Terminal electric top handler deployment is among a range of Port of Los Angeles programs designed to help meet its nation-leading sustainability goals, including the transition of all cargo handling equipment on its terminals to ZE by 2030, and all drayage trucks calling at the Port to ZE by 2035.