The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach both indicated in mid-December that they would try to close loopholes in the program.
Class 7 trucks are smaller and less powerful than ‘Class 8’ trucks, which are typically used in the movement of shipping containers to and from ports. Under the Clean Trucks Program, Class 8 trucks are subject to strict emission standards and older models have been progressively banned from terminals since the program began in 2008. Class 7 trucks now will be added to the progressive ban starting July 1, 2011.
The program banned virtually all Class 8 trucks that did not meet 2007 emission standards last year. Since then, some trucking companies have begun using older Class 7 models to move lighter loads like empty containers. As many as 550 of the Class 7 trucks may be operating in the San Pedro Bay area, accounting for 2 percent to 3 percent of truck moves, the port said.
The board also approved charging cargo owners a Clean Trucks fee if their containers are observed being switched from a clean truck to a banned truck within the harbor district.
