While many large commercial trucking carriers are well versed in all things electric, owner-operator fleets have little time to research, pilot, and secure funding for electric trucks. In an effort to fast-track efforts for these smaller fleets, Volvo Trucks and its dealer TEC Equipment recently helped Saldivar’s Trucking becoming the first independent owner-operator in the U.S. to deploy a Volvo VNR Electric truck for drayage operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
“We’re thrilled to see Saldivar’s Trucking become the first independent owner-operator to deploy a Volvo VNR Electric truck, especially given the unique financial challenges smaller operators face,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America.
The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) Rule has had many smaller fleets anxious about being able to meet the mandated zero emissions vehicle requirements. Many times, these requirements present financial challenges for owner-operators, as in the case of Saldivar’s Trucking. With only one employee and a truck to match, owners/drivers don’t have the time to research available funding sources.
“For many owner-operators, grants and funding opportunities can create unintended obstacles, such as personal tax liabilities, making it difficult to fully benefit from the support available. However, TEC Equipment worked closely with the South Coast AQMD to navigate this complex process and secure the necessary CARB funding without added financial burden for Saldivar’s,” said Voorhoeve.
With the help of TEC Equipment, Saldivar’s Trucking was able to secure more than $400,000 in funding from CARB’s On-Road Heavy-Duty Voucher Incentive Program (VIP), which provides funding to replace older, heavy-duty trucks with zero-emission vehicles. The program is exclusive to fleets with 10 vehicles or less that operate in California. In many cases, owner-operators have difficulty taking advantage of these grants due to the impact it can have on their personal income taxes.
In the end, TEC Equipment worked hand in hand with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to secure the needed funding and help Saldivar’s successfully deploy the Volvo VNR Electric truck.
“This collaboration is a perfect example of the important role to be played by truck dealers and why stakeholders need to work together to succeed in this new era of sustainable transportation. We need solutions that work for different fleets of all sizes in the marketplace,” added Voorhoeve.
