The JETSI project was honored with a California Air Quality Award by the Coalition for Clean Air at the annual awards ceremony hosted on June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. This prestigious award recognizes the project’s significant contribution to reducing emissions in Southern California’s commercial transportation sector.
Collectively, JETSI project partners NFI and Schnieder have deployed 100 battery-electric trucks (BETs) funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as well as the necessary charging infrastructure funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC). Additional funding was provided by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and Southern California Edison. The JETSI project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment, particularly in overburdened communities.
The deployment of the 100 BETs has demonstrated how strategic partnerships can drive progress towards cleaner air and a sustainable future. The Air Quality Award ceremony highlighted the JETSI project’s impact in deploying clean air technologies and improving air quality and quality of life for overburdened communities.
During the awards ceremony, South Coast AQMD Executive Officer Wayne Nastri accepted the award on behalf of the JETSI project and participated in a panel discussion. Nastri emphasized the project’s role in shaping best practices and inspiring future initiatives in sustainable transportation. This award recognizes the dedication and leadership of the JETSI project partners and their commitment to leveraging state-of-the-art technology to mitigate environmental impacts and improve public health across California.
Nastri reflected on the CCA Award, and expressed his appreciation by saying, “Fleet operators and companies making decisions about shipping their products can look at the JETSI project and see these electric trucks doing the work, successfully performing freight operations. We think that will drive more interest and accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks. That is what the JETSI project is all about. We are grateful to the CCA for recognizing JETSI because the award will help more companies learn this can be done at scale and explore transitioning their own fleets.”
Moving forward, the JETSI project serves as a case study for other fleets to reference as they develop their own electric heavy-duty truck deployments. These projects take time, significant planning, and are more economically viable with the help of government funding, such as the grants awarded to the JETSI project. Having the right operational plan is essential, and with a focus on regional haul and drayage, battery electric trucks are showing they can successfully perform the required work.
