Community Benefits
California Climate Investments provided $45 million to improve air quality in Inland Southern California via a grant awarded to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Volvo Trucks, and 12 other organizations. The project, called Volvo LIGHTS, demonstrated the many benefits of battery-powered electric freight trucks and equipment and prepared the region for the widespread introduction of this advanced zero-emission technology. The project began in 2019 and will run through early 2022.
Volvo LIGHTS Project Highlights Include:
- Two local goods movement fleets are demonstrating the ability of battery electric heavy-duty trucks and equipment to reliably move freight between Los Angeles’ two major ports and inland warehouse facilities with less noise and zero emissions
- A local truck dealership provided the ability for regional goods movement fleets to lease battery electric trucks for real-world trials
- Two electric truck maintenance training programs were introduced at local community colleges
- Solar panels were installed at local warehouses to increase the amount of renewable energy used to power the vehicles
How Will Electric Trucks Benefit Our Communities?
Reduced Air Pollution
providing considerable public health benefits
Cutting-Edge Job Training
for vehicle technicians, charging infrastructure construction, and more
Climate Protection
due to zero tailpipe emissions and the reduction in fossil fuel use
Less Congestion
from being able to make deliveries at night with much quieter truck engines
Better Truck Driver Experience
due to a quieter ride and no exposure to fuel or exhaust fumes
Volvo LIGHTS In The Community
Diana Fox, Executive Director of Reach Out, sharing details on the many community benefits that Volvo LIGHTS will garner while speaking at the Environmental Justice Conference in Los Angeles on September 12, 2019.
Professor John Frala of Rio Hondo College discussing strategies to develop the next generation of truck technicians during a panel at the Mobilize California Summit in Temecula, California, on August 23, 2019. Rio Hondo will offer technician program specific to Volvo heavy-duty electric truck maintenance through its Automotive Technology Program.
The Volvo LIGHTS team poses for a photo in April 2019 at ACT Expo in Long Beach, California, with a $44.8 million check from California Climate Investments to demonstrate innovations critical to the commercial success of heavy-duty battery electric trucks for freight movement.
