Brisbane-founded Tritium company has finished installation of 33 of its chargers at the SSA Terminals, LLC container terminal at Pier C in the Port of Long Beach in California.
The 175kW chargers are equipped with Stäubli mechanised charging connectors to support the terminal’s electric-drive terminal tractors for transporting shipping containers.
The project is the first large-scale port EV charging program using mechanised charging connectors in North America, and aims to help increase port operations efficiency, says Tritium.
“Autonomous charging is the future for EV depots and we’re excited to be leading the fast charger manufacturers in operationalising hands-free charging for the Port of Long Beach,” says Tritium chief executive Jane Hunter.
SSA Terminals, a subsidiary of SSA Marine and a joint venture with Matson Navigation Company, selected Tritium to provide all chargers for the project.
Stäubli Electrical Connectors, a leading global manufacturer of electrical connector solutions, manufactured the fully automated high-power quick charging connector (QCC) systems used for the terminal’s fleet of Tritium chargers.
The technology automatically connects Tritium’s chargers to charge ports on each terminal tractor, creating a safe and efficient zero-touch charging system, saving time and money, says Tritium.
The program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“The Port of Long Beach has a unique opportunity to pivot our operations towards a future that is better for our communities and neighbourhoods,” says Port of Long Beach chief executive Mario Cordero.
The project is funded by the US$50 million Port of Long Beach grant obtained from the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Zero and Near Zero Emission Freight Facility (ZANZEFF) program.
