Nonprofit Climate United is planning to place the largest single order of electric trucks in U.S. history, as part of a $250 million project to lease out battery-electric semi-trucks to small and independent fleet operators at U.S. ports. 

The group is looking to purchase as many as 500 class 8 electric semi-trucks over the next three years, while prioritizing vehicles assembled in the U.S. with domestic parts. It will then start leasing those vehicles to select operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, before eventually expanding the service to include shipping hubs across the U.S.

“Electric drayage trucks cost less to operate, but high upfront costs make it difficult for independent owner-operators and small fleets to transition to all-electric,” Climate United CEO Beth Bafford said in an October 29 release. "We are significantly reducing a cost barrier to sustain small businesses and help them lead the transition to electric vehicles."

California required drayage fleets at state's ports and intermodal railyards to begin phasing in zero-emission vehicles at the start of 2024, and will require all such fleets to be fully zero-emission by 2035. In July, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach invested $25 million in new charging infrastructure for electric semi-trucks in July, and partnered with the state to offer vouchers up to $250,000 for the purchase of zero-emission drayage vehicles. As part of its new initiative, Climate United is also joining with freight electrification company Forum Mobility to build a network of staffed electric truck charging depots at California's ports and along well-traveled freight routes.