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Multi-Source Freight Facility Electric Truck Demonstration Project

Multi-Class Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Truck Development Project for Intermodal and Warehouse Facilities

This project demonstrated 27 battery-electric yard and service trucks across three leading freight facilities. Ten trucks were deployed at each of two BNSF Railway intermodal sites—San Bernardino and Los Angeles—with four additional trucks at Daylight Transport’s new facility in Fontana. All sites are located in the top 10% of disadvantaged communities, as identified by CalEnviroScreen 2.0. BYD Motors built the trucks at its Lancaster, California facility and delivered them with full manufacturer warranties. The California Air Resources Board supported the project by monitoring vehicle performance through data loggers and real-time telematics. These demonstrations aim to accelerate electric truck adoption at rail yards, freight facilities, and ports across California and North America by informing future commercialization efforts.

Vehicles/Equipment Funded:

  • BNSF Los Angeles – One (1) BYD 5F model service truck, Ten (10) BYD 8Y yard trucks, ten (10) 200 kW AC Chargers, and 11 data loggers. 
  • BNSF San Bernardino – Two (2) BYD 5F model service trucks, Ten (10) BYD 8Y yard trucks, ten (10) 200 kW AC Chargers, and 12 data loggers. 
  • Daylight Transport Fontana – Four (4) BYD 8Y yard trucks, Three (3) 100kW AC chargers, three (3) data loggers.

Lessons Learned:

  • Plan for EV charger infrastructure delays and seek help from the cities; this was the most time-consuming task for this project.
  • Driver input is essential to the design process. End users provide valuable insights on ergonomics, visibility, and functional preferences—for example, the importance of an independently operated fifth wheel.
  • Projects of this scale and complexity require significant administrative time. Expect a range of potential challenges throughout planning, implementation, and ongoing development.

Status Updates:

  • The demonstration period was successfully completed on January 31, 2020.
  • Daylight Transport and BNSF intend to continue using the electric vehicles, and EVSE demonstrated under this Project in their daily operations.

Technology:


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Vehicles / Equipment Status:​

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Project Facts​

  • DATES: May 12, 2016 – March 31, 2020
  • GRANTEE: San Bernardino Council of Governments
  • PARTNERS: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF),  BYD Motors, LLC., CALSTART, Inc., Daylight Transport, LLC
  • GRANT NO.: G14-LCTI-06

Grant Amount​

  • CARB Contribution: $9,100,800
  • Matching Funds: $10,216,172
  • PROJECT TOTAL: $19,316,972

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