NWSA takes a major step in its zero-emission strategy

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) is advancing its environmental strategy with the launch of its first incentive program for zero-emission (ZE) trucks. Funded partly by the State of Washington, the project aims to modernize drayage operations while reducing air pollution associated with port-related logistics.

Following a competitive bidding process, the NWSA selected Zeem Solutions, a company specializing in commercial fleet electrification, to undertake the project. The deployment will include 19 Class 8 electric trucks dedicated to regional drayage, operating between marine terminals, logistics hubs, and rail yards. A dedicated charging station will also be constructed near SeaTac Airport with the capacity to charge up to 250 vehicles per day and provide overnight parking for 70 vehicles. Ground will be broken for the charging site this fall, with the ZEVs expected on the road by 2026.

The project is the first implementation of the Decarbonizing Drayage Roadmap, released in April 2025, which outlines 67 recommendations to eliminate drayage truck emissions in Puget Sound by 2050. Developed by the Puget Sound Zero Emission Truck Collaborative, the roadmap stems from a collaborative effort to reduce the environmental impact of freight movement between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

Although essential to the port logistics chain, drayage trucks are also a significant source of air pollution affecting communities located along freight corridors. By reducing diesel and GHG emissions, the NWSA’s program will improve air quality and public health while laying the groundwork for a just transition for drivers and local operators.

_{Photo credit : Northwest Seaport Alliance}