Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Sept. 7, 2026:
Calstart working with Port of New York and New Jersey on electric truck vouchers, charging
Calstart and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) have announced a pair of incentive programs totaling $45 million to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission (ZE) drayage trucks and terminal tractors, alongside the essential charging infrastructure needed to power them at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Beginning this fall, Calstart will serve as the program designer and administrator for the Clean Truck Incentive (CTI) Program and Green Drayage Accelerator (GDA), looking to drive zero-emission commercial fleet adoption across the East Coast’s busiest seaport.
CTI will deploy up to $39 million in point-of-sale vouchers for the purchase of zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors, and supporting charging infrastructure. The $5 million GDA program aims to award up to five electric truck charging hubs within 10 miles of the Port Authority’s seaport facilities (or marine terminal facilities).
The programs are designed to advance the Port Authority’s sustainability goals by accelerating cleaner technologies while providing port operators with affordable, discounted electric vehicles and charging options.
“The trucks that move through our gates don't stop there. They fan out to warehouses and distribution hubs across the region, carrying the goods that power our economy,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This $45 million partnership with Calstart puts zero-emission trucks, terminal tractors, and charging infrastructure within reach for the operators who serve this port every day. Cleaner trucks here mean cleaner air not just for our port facilities, but for every community along the routes these trucks travel.”
To ensure transparency and measure long-term impact, Calstart will build and launch dynamic tracking dashboards for both initiatives, which will monitor deployment, vehicle performance, and charger utilization across port operations before being fully transferred to the Port Authority in 2028.
The programs are funded through a $451 million grant awarded to the Port Authority through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, the largest sustainability grant in Port Authority history. Beyond the Calstart-administered programs, the grant will also fund the deployment of electric cargo handling equipment at marine terminals and the installation of vessel shore power infrastructure to allow container ships to plug in while at berth and shut down their auxiliary engines.
A separate $3 million EPA planning grant will fund the creation of a Port Community Advisory Council. Subrecipients of the overall award will also be positioned to pursue workforce training and job creation efforts tied to the clean energy sector.
[Related: EPA awards New York and New Jersey Port Authority with $347M to boost sustainability]
PrePass expands statewide in Oregon
PrePass Safety Alliance last week announced the statewide site expansion of the PrePass Bypass Mobile App in Oregon.
Deployment by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will allow qualified carriers to bypass participating weigh stations at highway speed and receive in-cab safety alerts, helping drivers avoid unnecessary stops, save time, and lower operating costs, the company said. Bypass capabilities are at 19 sites and, according to ODOT, will dramatically modernize the state’s freight operations. Two additional sites are expected to become operational by year’s end.
“We’re excited to bring the PrePass system to Oregon to advance commercial vehicle enforcement, save motor carriers time and improve highway safety,” said ODOT Commerce and Compliance Division Administrator Carla Phelps. “What makes PrePass stand out is its in-cab safety alerts for drivers, including notifications about steep grades, sharp curves and low clearances. We are optimistic that future enhancements will include warnings for work zones and weather events. Together, these features support a safer, more efficient transportation system for our state.”
The PrePass Mobile App allows qualified carriers to receive bypass decisions and customizable safety alerts directly on their mobile or telematics devices without requiring additional hardware in the vehicles or infrastructure on the roadway. The app transmits safety scores, credential information, and other compliance data to enforcement officers.
Vehicles that meet Oregon’s safety and credential standards may be cleared to continue at highway speeds so officers can focus their attention on carriers who don’t satisfy those standards.
In addition to safety and efficiency benefits, deployment represents a significant benefit for carriers and drivers, PrePass said. Each successful bypass can save up to 7 minutes, save nearly 0.5 gallons of fuel, and reduce operating costs by up to $11.75 per bypass. The smoother process also enhances driver satisfaction by reducing downtime, idling, and stop-and-go traffic at inspection stations.
The Oregon deployment expands the PrePass Safety Alliance’s footprint in the United States. The organization currently has partnerships with trucking associations in all 50 states, and PrePass is currently operational in 47 states with well over 1.6 billion successful bypasses.
