Battery electric container trucks are now operating at the Port of Vancouver as part of a pilot program promoting the adoption of alternative fuels and technologies.
The Electric Container Trucking Program (ELECTRA) provides container trucking companies with subsidized five-year leases and supporting electric charging infrastructure. The pilot phase includes five companies operating six trucks.
For the first 12 months that each truck is in service, the program will collect operational data that will be shared with industry and government partners to inform future adoption of battery electric container trucks.
ELECTRA is part of the Low Emission Technology Initiative, a joint funding partnership between the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the Province of British Columbia. The initiative helps fund pilot projects intended to accelerate the transition away from fossil-fuel-powered equipment at the Port of Vancouver by demonstrating the effectiveness of lower-emission alternatives.
The program represents an estimated $3 million in total support from Transport Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the port authority. Additional funding is being accessed through BC Hydro’s EV Fleet Program. It is being delivered with support from Transport Canada and in partnership with the port authority, the Province of British Columbia, BC Hydro, and 7Gen, a turnkey fleet electrification partner for vehicle, infrastructure, software and carbon credit solutions.
As part of the program, participating trucking companies receive at least one battery electric truck, charging infrastructure, where needed, and maintenance support, technological and engineering design assistance, driver training and operational support, and access to a software platform that centralizes vehicle, charger and utility data on one dashboard.
Four battery electric container trucks are already operating at the port as part of this program, with two more expected to hit the road later this year.
In 2024, the port authority published a request for expressions of interest to trucking companies registered in the port authority’s Truck Licensing System to seek participants in the program. In 2025, the port authority and program partners engaged five trucking companies who are now taking part in the program:
- Aheer Transportation Ltd.
- Lally Bros. Holding Ltd.
- Simard Westlink Inc.
- TransBC Freight Ltd.
- West Coast Freight Ltd.
7Gen led execution and delivery of the program, with planning and site assessments carried out in collaboration with BC Hydro to confirm sufficient electricity supply and support safe, reliable charging operations. Following this work, 7Gen oversaw delivery and deployment of the vehicles and charging infrastructure at participating trucking company depots and continues to provide charger maintenance and operational support to participants.
(Photo from VFPA)