Amazon rolls out electric trucks at LA-Long Beach ports

TL;DR

Amazon EV Trucks Launch: Amazon started operations with eight heavy-duty electric trucks at Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for ocean freight drayage.
Volvo Fleet Expansion: The eight Volvo VNR Electric trucks are part of nearly 50 deploying in Southern California, reaching a dozen at the ports by year-end.
Emissions Reduction Step: The trucks haul containers to Santa Fe Springs with zero tailpipe emissions, supporting Amazon's net-zero carbon goal by 2040.

The story at a glance

Amazon rolled out its first electric trucks for ocean freight operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, starting with eight heavy-duty Volvo VNR Electric models on May 7, 2024. The company plans a dozen such trucks at the ports by year-end as part of nearly 50 in Southern California. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended the Port of Los Angeles event announcing the rollout. Ports face California mandates requiring zero-emission drayage trucks by 2035.

Key points

Eight battery-electric Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric trucks, with up to 275-mile range and 82,000-pound capacity, began hauling cargo containers from the ports to Amazon's Santa Fe Springs facility.
The trucks mark Amazon's entry into electric drayage for ocean freight, a first-mile logistics step moving goods from ports into the fulfillment network.
Nearly 50 heavy-duty electric trucks will operate across Southern California, Amazon's largest such fleet in any country, expected to travel over 1 million miles yearly with zero tailpipe emissions.
A dozen electric drayage trucks are slated for the twin ports by end of 2024.
Amazon has deployed 35 electric heavy-duty vehicles in the region with over 45 DC fast chargers at 11 sites.
Trucks include safety features like collision mitigation, blind-spot detection, and adaptive cruise control.
The rollout aligns with state rules banning new diesel trucks at ports and mandating zero-emission drayage by 2035.

Details and context

The electric trucks handle drayage, transporting containers short distances from ports to inland sites like Santa Fe Springs, where goods move to middle-mile distribution between fulfillment centers, sort centers, air hubs, and delivery stations.

Amazon draws power from offsite charging, including a Forum Mobility depot; the startup broke ground on a high-speed facility at Port of Long Beach for multiple trucks.

This builds on Amazon's broader electromobility: over 140 electric yard tractors nationwide since 2019 and more than 13,500 Rivian electric delivery vans since 2022.

California's regulations drive the shift, with subsidies aiding high costs—electric rigs run $300,000-$500,000 versus $120,000 for diesel.

Key quotes

“We’re proud to launch our largest fleet of electric heavy-duty vehicles yet in California,” said Udit Madan, Amazon vice president of worldwide operations. “Heavy-duty trucking is a particularly difficult area to decarbonize.”[[1]](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/sustainability/amazon-electric-trucks-southern-california-sustainability)[[2]](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-05-07/amazon-and-volvo-team-up-on-big-rig-electric-trucks-rolling-out-of-ports-in-southern-california)

“California continues to lead the way in setting world-leading climate goals,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.[[1]](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/sustainability/amazon-electric-trucks-southern-california-sustainability)

Why it matters

Heavy-duty port trucking contributes heavily to air pollution and emissions at the nation's busiest container ports. Amazon's electric fleet cuts tailpipe emissions immediately while testing scalability for broader logistics decarbonization. Watch for the full dozen drayage trucks online by year-end and charging infrastructure expansion, which could limit faster growth.

What changed

Drayage at Ports of LA/Long Beach used only diesel trucks; now eight electric Volvo VNR models operate for Amazon ocean freight, hauling to Santa Fe Springs; rollout began May 7, 2024.

FAQ

Q: What do the Amazon electric trucks haul from the ports?

A: They transport cargo containers from Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Amazon's facility in Santa Fe Springs. Goods there move to fulfillment centers and delivery. The trucks support first- and middle-mile operations with zero tailpipe emissions.[[1]](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/sustainability/amazon-electric-trucks-southern-california-sustainability)[[3]](https://www.dailybreeze.com/2024/05/07/amazon-electric-trucks-roll-out-for-ocean-freight-uses-at-ports-of-la-long-beach/)

Q: How many electric trucks will Amazon deploy at the ports by year-end?

A: A dozen electric drayage trucks are expected at the Ports of LA and Long Beach by end of 2024. Eight heavy-duty models started operations on May 7. They are the first electrics in Amazon's ocean freight there.[[3]](https://www.dailybreeze.com/2024/05/07/amazon-electric-trucks-roll-out-for-ocean-freight-uses-at-ports-of-la-long-beach/)[[4]](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/amazon-unveils-first-electric-seaport-trucks-amid-push-slash-tailpipe-emissions-2024-05-07)

Q: What is the range and specs of these Volvo trucks?

A: The Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric trucks have up to 275 miles range and 82,000 pounds gross weight. They feature safety tech like blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise. Drivers note lower noise and good power.[[1]](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/sustainability/amazon-electric-trucks-southern-california-sustainability)[[2]](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-05-07/amazon-and-volvo-team-up-on-big-rig-electric-trucks-rolling-out-of-ports-in-southern-california)

Q: Why are these trucks rolling out now at the ports?

A: California mandates zero-emission drayage by 2035 and bans new diesel trucks at ports. The May 7 event at Port of LA included Mayor Karen Bass. It advances Amazon's net-zero by 2040 goal.[[2]](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-05-07/amazon-and-volvo-team-up-on-big-rig-electric-trucks-rolling-out-of-ports-in-southern-california)[[3]](https://www.dailybreeze.com/2024/05/07/amazon-electric-trucks-roll-out-for-ocean-freight-uses-at-ports-of-la-long-beach/)