The Port of Vancouver’s ELECTRA pilot is providing the trucking sector with valuable real-world insight into the use of battery-electric trucks in port drayage operations.
The ELECTRA program, formally known as the Electric Container Trucking Program, is testing battery-electric container trucks in daily operating conditions at the Port of Vancouver. The pilot provided additional financial incentives to five trucking companies for a total of six battery-electric trucks, helping carriers evaluate how the technology performs in practical freight environments.
The pilot is designed to collect operational data and assess key factors such as charging infrastructure, vehicle performance, reliability, range, driver experience, cost-effectiveness, and return on investment. These are critical considerations for commercial fleets evaluating whether battery-electric equipment can be integrated into their operations at scale.
In 2024, the Canadian Trucking Alliance completed a white paper examining the current realities of decarbonization in the trucking sector. The report found that fleet decarbonization is a complex and evolving process that will require time to achieve at scale. It also highlighted the need for continued government support through innovation funding, infrastructure development, and supportive policy measures to accelerate the adoption of alternative propulsion technologies across the industry.
CTA member Simard is one of the carriers participating in the pilot. Simard was selected by the Port of Vancouver about a year ago and has since integrated two electric trucks into its Vancouver operations. This gives Simard a total of 10 electric trucks nationally, as they operate 8 of them in Quebec.
According to Brandon Abraham, Vice-President, Corporate Services at Simard, the transition has been seamless from an operational perspective.
Abraham noted that charging infrastructure has not created dispatch challenges and that the vehicles have been successfully integrated into routine operations. Driver feedback has also been overwhelmingly positive, with many operators appreciating the driving experience offered by electric trucks.
