Port of Vancouver Launches Electric Semi Truck Pilot Program
June 17, 2026
Share
Key Takeaways
The Port of Vancouver has launched the ELECTRA pilot program, using a fleet of electric Peterbilt 579EV Class 8 trucks for container-hauling routes, aiming to measure the benefits of electric drayage trucks on first-mile delivery routes in the Canadian electric vehicle market.
The program offers subsidized 60-month lease terms on new Class 8 electric semi trucks, covering maintenance costs, technical support, and technician training, making electric truck adoption more cost-competitive with Canadian government iZEV incentives and provincial rebates.
With an estimated $3 million in support from Transport Canada, British Columbia, and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the ELECTRA program is expected to drive the adoption of electric trucks in Canada, potentially saving up to $160,000 per truck and reducing emissions in the Canadian transportation sector.
Electric Trucks Take Centre Stage at Port of Vancouver
A new pilot program is underway at the Port of Vancouver, where a fleet of electric Peterbilt 579EV Class 8 trucks are being used for container-hauling routes. The program, part of the ELECTRA (ELEctric Container TRucking progrAm) initiative, aims to measure the real-world benefits of electric drayage trucks on first-mile delivery routes. For those unfamiliar with the term, first-mile delivery refers to the movement of containers from ports or manufacturing centres to nearby rail yards and truck terminals, before they begin their journey to warehouses and distribution centres.
Promising Application for Electrification
First-mile drayage is considered one of the most promising applications for electrification, as these trucks travel short, predictable routes under heavy payloads all day, every day, often returning to a "home" lot at night. The ELECTRA pilot program offers five port shipping companies heavily subsidized 60-month lease terms on new Class 8 electric semi trucks and their supporting charging infrastructure. The program also covers associated maintenance costs, technical support, and technician training to ensure maximum utilization for each truck. With the Canadian government's iZEV incentives and provincial rebates, such as those offered in British Columbia, the adoption of electric trucks is becoming increasingly cost-competitive.
Game-Changing for Operations
The program has already shown promising results, with shipping company Simard Westlink deploying a Peterbilt Model 579EV as the first vehicle in the program. According to Jason Hansen, director of operations for Simard Westlink, "The ELECTRA program has been game-changing for our operations in Vancouver... it's allowed us to be more open-minded to alternative power [and] the ability to use advanced technology and lower costs, all while having zero emissions." With an estimated $3 million in combined support from Transport Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, this program is poised to make a significant impact on the adoption of electric trucks in Canada.
Data-Driven Insights
Over the next year, data will be recorded by all five companies' trucks and shared with industry and government partners to inform the future adoption of battery electric semi trucks. This data will provide valuable insights into the benefits of electric trucks, including potential cost savings and reduced emissions. As the Canadian government continues to invest in the adoption of electric vehicles, programs like ELECTRA will play a crucial role in driving the transition to a more sustainable transportation sector. With the potential to save up to $160,000 per truck, as shown in a previous Transport Canada data-sharing pilot, the benefits of electric trucks are clear. As Frans Tjallingii, founder and CEO of 7Gen, notes, "Drayage and medium-haul Class 8 are the segments where electrification has crossed the line from possible to practical."
