We are seeking partners who are interested in adopting zero-emission yard trucks.

Objective 1.7 of our 2030 Strategic Plan is to Reduce Harmful Diesel Pollution Emissions and Exposure. To work towards this objective, we are helping partners secure funding to replace old diesel trucks with zero-emission vehicles.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please email us or submit a pre-application form:

Submit a Project

What are yard trucks?

Yard trucks (also called goats, hostlers, terminal tractors, and other names) are essential cargo-handling equipment used to move cargo trailers and containers short distances. Yard trucks are generally off-road vehicles used to move cargo containers around shipping yards, and transferring cargo between trucks and trains.

Why electrify?

The yard truck’s duty cycle makes it an ideal candidate to use electric power. Yard trucks typically operate at low speeds at a start-stop work pace. Since they do not need to travel long distances, electric yard trucks can be recharged during opportune times, such as shift changes or driver break periods. 

Drivers who have experience with electric yard trucks generally prefer electric over diesel-fueled trucks. Electric yard trucks run more smoothly and are quieter than diesel-fueled trucks. Electric yard trucks don’t idle and have plenty of torque to carry heavy loads. The technology safely and effectively meets operational needs, and significantly reduces emissions.

Learn More about Electric Yard Trucks in Use

Learn more about the Electric Yard Trucks Program and hear firsthand experience from companies using electric yard trucks by listening to our Electric Yard Truck Webinar recorded on June 6, 2023.

Read testimonials from past program participants here.

See more about our highlighted BNSF yard truck project here.

Project Successes

The electric yard trucks project is aligned with the Agency’s 2030 Strategic Plan objectives to “reduce harmful diesel pollution emissions and exposure” and to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions to reduce our region’s contribution to climate change.” 

Beginning in 2019, the Agency received $2,410,700 in funding through U.S. EPA and Washington State Department of Ecology. This funding provided incentives to six external partners to replace 20 diesel-fuel yard trucks with all-electric yard trucks, completed in early 2024.

In late 2024, the Agency received $1,065,000 in additional grant funding from EPA.  This funding will support three external partners to replace 7 additional diesel-fueled yard trucks with all-electric yard trucks by September 2027.  The vehicles operate in overburdened communities in King and Pierce counties, including South Seattle, Tukwila, Renton, and Enumclaw. 

Project partners include BNSF, Seattle Public Utilities, King County Solid Waste, Albertsons, McLane Company, NewCold Logistics, and Lineage Logistics. They have committed to covering the project costs not funded by the grant, and are partnering to reduce emissions from cargo-handling equipment in our region.

See results in the Off-Road tab on our Diesel Programs page.