Sample Research & Policy Engagement Needs

  • Research and modeling of microgrid solutions to support the Port’s electrification and power supply reliability needs.
  • Research optimal initial applications for electric-drive technology via collection of data on truck fleet age and duty cycles, and information on availability and pricing for advanced vehicles.
  • Research potential for renewable hydrogen production and fueling/storage infrastructure as an alternative to: 1) Diesel, bunker fuel or LNG for harbor craft and ships; and, 2) diesel-fuel for long haul trucking.
  • Research improvements in freight logistics to reduce diesel engine idling and congestion at port facilities.
  • Research optimal combinations of state funding, sustainable finance,  and private procurement to reduce diesel emissions and introduce electric-drive technology.
  • Research electric power supply infrastructure needed to accommodate progressively larger use of electric-drives for freight handling equipment and trucks.
  • Convene workshops to coordinate City, Port and private business decisions on:
    • electric power infrastructure;
    • vehicle charging infrastructure;
    • improved freight logistics to reduce idling and GHG emissions; and,
    • systems to find and fix emission controls on high polluting trucks entering the Port.
  • Establish a vehicle emission monitoring system to identify high polluting trucks, notify operators and require repairs as a condition for entering the Port.
  • Plan and implement air quality and public exposure monitoring to document impact of emission abatement actions.
  • Design and implement public-private partnerships to gradually reduce fossil fuel use in delivery trucks operating in the City of Oakland.
  • Research and popularize changes in electric power rate structures to remove financial barriers to electric-drive technology for medium and heavy-duty engines.
  • Identify opportunities for port-sited renewable energy generation and storage, to be integrated with gradual increase power demand from heavy-duty electric cargo-handling equipment and truck charging.
  • Develop an industry/university consortium, involving manufacturers of heavy and medium duty electric truck manufacturers, with a mission to identify trucking operations suitable for electric drive technology and identify infrastructure needs.
  • Environmental Justice and Community Engagement, in cooperation with Brian Beveridge & Margaret Gordon, West Oakland Environmental Integrity Group.
  • Research to understand status and impact of global fast-charging standard for heavy duty vehicles.