NWSA Launches First Incentive Program for Zero Emission Trucks in Washington

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) has announced the launch of its first-ever incentive program to support the deployment of zero emission (ZE) trucks and charging infrastructure in the Puget Sound region. Following a competitive selection process, Zeem Solutions has been awarded the lead role in implementing the initiative.

Supported by a 6.2 million dollar grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the program aims to introduce 19 zero emission trucks to the region and build out charging infrastructure to support broader electrification efforts. This is Zeem’s first deployment project in Washington state, though the company has demonstrated significant experience in rolling out electric vehicle and charging infrastructure elsewhere.

The project includes the development of a major charging site near SeaTac Airport along State Route 99. Designed to accommodate high-volume freight movement, the facility will have the capacity to charge up to 250 vehicles daily and provide overnight parking for 70 vehicles. The site will cater not only to heavy duty trucks but also to fleets operating light and medium duty electric commercial vehicles.

The incentive program was made possible through funding from the Climate Commitment Act, Washington’s cap-and-invest initiative aimed at supporting climate action, job creation and public health improvements. Zeem and its fleet partners will contribute significant private investment alongside public funding.

Construction of the charging facility is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025, with the deployment of the new electric trucks anticipated in 2026. The initiative is expected to reduce emissions from drayage operations, which currently account for roughly 6 percent of seaport-related diesel pollution and nearly 30 percent of port-related greenhouse gas emissions in the area. These emissions have an outsized impact on communities living near port facilities and along freight corridors.

The launch follows the release of the Decarbonizing Drayage Roadmap, a comprehensive strategy developed earlier this year through the Puget Sound Zero Emission Truck Collaborative. The roadmap includes nearly 70 recommendations for transitioning the region’s drayage fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2050 or sooner. The incentive program reflects key principles from the roadmap, including driver feedback, risk mitigation and equitable infrastructure planning. Zeem is collaborating with local drayage providers to ensure a just transition, minimizing disruption to drivers and supporting frontline communities affected by port emissions. The Collaborative will continue to play a role in overseeing the implementation of the roadmap and integrating lessons learned from this initial rollout.