The USA’s South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC) has received six pieces of all-electric handling equipment.
SPJC will replace 27 pieces of older gasoline and diesel forklifts and cargo handling equipment with new electric-powered units and charging stations without having to retrofit its older vehicles.
The initiative is funded by a USD6.6 million grant from Governor Phil Murphy’s administration, as part of the broader USD100 million plan to battle climate change and transition to cleaner energy alternatives in New Jersey.
Governor Murphy stated that to tackle the impacts of climate change, “we must electrify not just light-duty vehicles, but the medium- and heavy-duty tractors and equipment upon which our thriving logistics industry depends.
“Here in South Jersey, we’re proving that transitioning to clean energy both complements and catalyses the growth of new industries and the generation of good-paying jobs.”
SJPC aims to systematically convert all of its energy-consuming assets to zero-carbon within the next decade as suitable replacement equipment becomes commercially available.
A further USD1 billion investment form New Jersey and private corporations will aim to improve port facilities and infrastructure to make it the epicentre of the region’s offshore wind energy industry.
