City Seeks Acceleration Transition to Zero Emissions for Trash Trucks.

The City of Long Beach will be looking to further advance its transition from fossil fuel to electric zero-emission vehicles for private and city-operated trash trucks, according to a recent decision made by the Long Beach City Council on Feb. 11.

The decision made by the city council stems from the city’s Long Beach Climate Action Plan, a plan adopted in 2022 that focuses on the ongoing effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city, as well as ensuring the community is better protected from the impacts of climate change.

According to Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, the city is requesting staffers to “develop a holistic plan and approach that identifies new grant funding opportunities, proactively plans for the future of this fleet turnover.” Richardson and the City Council also request the plan to incentivize the creation of good union jobs in order to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles for trash trucks, as well as prepare for the long-term development of charging stations needed to sustain said vehicles.

“With the devastation caused by climate change, and the change with the fires and flooding that we see, it's important that we continue to address the biggest threat facing our generation, and continue to show climate leadership here,” said Richardson.

According to councilmember Cindy Allen, the South Coast Air basin, which includes Long Beach, is among the most polluted areas in the entire country, and, according to the American Lung Association, the region has faced dangerously high ozone levels in 26 of the last 27 years.

To Allen, refuse trucks play a vital role in keeping the city clean, and by transitioning to zero-emission electric vehicles, the city can enhance the work efficiency of refuse trucks while significantly improving both air quality and public health.

“Battery electric vehicles produce zero emissions, which significantly reduces air pollution and benefits the Long Beach residents, particularly those in disadvantaged communities,” said Allen. “Battery electric vehicles operate more quietly than traditional vehicles, improving the quality of life for the employees and the residents while eliminating exposure to harmful pollutants.”

Currently, Long Beach Transit has battery-electric buses and near-zero emission compressed natural gas buses, while the Port of Long Beach has battery-electric vehicles. Both agencies have goals of having a zero-emission fleet by 2030.

City staffers will report back to the council with recommendations in 90 days on the progress of these efforts.

The City Council’s staff report also notes that that city plans to revisit its Zero-Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Policy to further define that the policy should apply to the purchasing and operation of battery-electric vehicles, to replace all conventionally fueled light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

For more information on the Long Beach Climate Action Plan, you can visit the city’s official website at https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/planning/caap/.