4 Gen Logistics Accelerates Toward a Fully Zero-Emission Drayage Fleet
Rialto, California (Times Media Service) — 4 Gen Logistics is committing to a 100% zero-emission drayage fleet in California by the end of 2025, expanding electric trucks and hyper-fast charging depots in Long Beach to reduce pollution and improve operational efficiency.
Key takeaways
- Ambitious goal: 100% zero-tailpipe emissions drayage fleet by end of 2025 — sources: Comvoy, Electrek, company releases.
- Fleet today: 79 zero-emission vehicles in 2024, up from 65 class 8 ZEVs in late 2023; models include Volvo VNR Electric, Kenworth T680E BEVs and some Nikola hydrogen fuel-cell trucks (Comvoy; Electrek).
- Charging buildout: Electrify America depots in Long Beach (phase 1: 30 × 350 kW chargers; planned expansion to 60) and Rialto to support round-trip drayage (Comvoy; DSLLog).
- Funding partners: Electrify America’s Green City program, CARB grants, MSRC and port support helped enable the rollout (Duncan & Son; DSLLog).
Fleet electrification: how fast and what’s in the yard
4 Gen Logistics, a company with roots back to 1943, began visibly moving into electric trucks in 2022 with an initial purchase of 41 Volvo VNR Electrics. Public reporting shows rapid expansion: 65 class 8 ZEVs by late 2023 and 79 ZEVs in 2024 as the company adds Kenworth T680E BEVs and a smaller number of Nikola hydrogen fuel-cell trucks to meet different route needs (Comvoy; Electrek).
Charging infrastructure and Long Beach EV charging
A major barrier for decarbonizing heavy trucking is charging. 4 Gen worked with Electrify America to deploy heavy-duty charging depots in two strategic locations: Long Beach and Rialto. Reporting describes the Long Beach site as the largest at any North American port during buildout, with a phase 1 installation of 30 hyper-fast 350 kW chargers and a planned expansion to 60 units to support round-trip drayage cycles (Comvoy; DSLLog).
“Hyper-fast 350 kW chargers shorten recharge time, limiting downtime for drivers and helping maintain tight port schedules,” industry coverage notes.
Funding and partnerships behind the buildout
Capital for chargers and vehicles is significant. Reports cite Electrify America’s $25 million Green City initiative among contributors. Additional support includes grants and incentives from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), and direct support from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles (Duncan & Son; DSLLog; Comvoy).
Operational benefits and driver experience
Company leaders report lower total cost of ownership in real-world use, driven by reduced fuel and maintenance expenses for battery-electric trucks. Drivers describe smoother acceleration, instant torque, and quieter cabs, which can reduce fatigue on short-haul drayage routes (Electrek).
Timeline and progress toward 2025
Public reports outline a clear timeline: early purchases in 2022, steady growth through 2023–2024, and a stated objective to finish the transition by the end of 2025. Reports note that precise fleet mix and final charger counts after buildout remain in progress (Comvoy; Electrek; 4 Gen company post).
Industry context and local history
4 Gen operates in the San Pedro Bay Port Complex, the busiest U.S. container gateway. Southern California ports and adjacent neighborhoods have long faced diesel-emission and public-health challenges. By moving faster than regulatory timetables, 4 Gen positions itself as a model for other drayage operators and responds to community pressure for cleaner operations (Comvoy; Electrek).
Notable limitations and what remains unclear
Public reports highlight progress but also gaps: updated fleet figures for late 2025 and full cost accounting are not yet available in independent audits. Success depends on timely charger buildouts, steady vehicle deliveries and continued funding support — any disruption could slow progress (Electrek; Comvoy).
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Economic: Faster electrification could reduce fuel and maintenance costs for local trucking firms, spur demand for heavy-duty EV chargers, electrical upgrades, and skilled technicians, and attract contractors to the Long Beach charging buildouts (Comvoy; Duncan & Son).
Political: The public timetable may increase pressure on carriers to accelerate electrification and on local governments to fast-track permitting and grid upgrades. Successful deployments may strengthen arguments for more public funding.
Social and cultural: Communities near ports could see improved air quality and quieter streets; the shift aligns with regional environmental values and provides a local case study for rapid change (Electrek).
Short-term effects for residents include construction and increased electrical work as depots expand; longer term, fewer diesel trucks could mean less diesel odor, less noise, and better health outcomes for nearby neighborhoods (DSLLog).
Ongoing scrutiny and what to watch
Stakeholders should monitor charger buildout timelines, truck delivery schedules, and independent air quality data around port neighborhoods. Real-world metrics on fleet performance, operational costs, and emissions reductions will determine whether 4 Gen’s approach is a durable model for other drayage operators (Electrek; Comvoy).
