City of Seattle’s Electric Trucks Incentive Pilot
Overview
Seattle’s Duwamish Valley is the region's largest cluster of freight-related jobs and activities, with approximately 4,000 diesel drayage trucks serving the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle. While these trucks transport containers for very short distances, carrying goods from massive cargo ships to adjacent rail yards and distribution centers, they are some of the heaviest polluters in the region.
The City of Seattle’s Heavy Duty Vehicle Electricification Incentive Pilot aims to bring new electric drayage trucks to the Duwamish Valley in the next 2 years, with the potential to scale as new federal and state incentives grant programs are developed and implemented.
The Pilot applications opened in summer 2023, originally offering truck drivers up to $180,000 per truck in incentives to support the purchase of a Class 8 battery-electric truck. While we received 11 applications and over 140 expressions of interest — mostly from independent owner-operators — follow-up interviews revealed that even with the substantial incentive, many drivers still found the transition financially unfeasible. We are now pivoting to pursue a stackable funding model, allowing drivers to combine the City’s funds with other opportunities. This approach is aimed at making the transition to zero-emission trucks more accessible and financially viable for the independent drivers who are critical to port operations.
Why the Duwamish Valley:
The nearly constant operation of these 4,000 diesel engines pours pollution into the Duwamish Valley and Port-adjacent communities. Studies have found that the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Georgetown, and South Park rank higher in both air pollution levels and asthma rates in children, as compared to other neighborhoods in Seattle.
Electrifying diesel emissions are a top priority for the City of Seattle given diesel pollution’s disproportionate impact on human health. For years, Seattle’s community-based organizations in the Duwamish Valley have called for the electrification of drayage trucks to address the problem of harmful diesel emissions in the neighborhood.
Archived Application Materials
The application period has concluded, and funding has been awarded to Zeem, a business leader in designing, building, and operating electric vehicle charging depots for commercial fleets. Zeem has partnered with local truck companies to bring to market 12 new electric Class 8 trucks that will primarily serve the Port of Seattle. Materials here are archived and are not updated. Interested parties may still submit an interest form or email OSE_Trucks@seattle.gov.
- Program Overview
- How to Apply Guide
- Online Application (Supplemental information to be submitted to OSE_Trucks@seattle.gov)
- Program FAQ's
Translated Materials
Amharic / አማርኛ: Amharic / አማርኛ Program Overview | Amharic / አማርኛ How to Apply | Amharic / አማርኛ Interest Form
Somali / af Soomaali: Somali / af Soomaali Program Overview | Somali / af Soomaali How to Apply | Somali / af Soomaali Interest Form
Tigrinya / ትግርኛ : Tigrinya / ትግርኛ Program Overview | Tigrinya / ትግርኛ How to Apply | Tigrinya / ትግርኛ Interest Form
Additional Resources
Charging Resources
Incentive Resources
Local Utility Fleet Electrification Incentive Programs
- Seattle City Light Fleet Electrification Program
- Seattle City Light is actively working to develop a truck charging network in the SCL service area.
- Tacoma Power
- Email the City of Tacoma: Rebates@cityoftacoma.org
- Snohomish County PUD
State Incentives
- Washington State Clean Alternative Fuel Commercial Vehicle Tax Credit:
- 75% of the incremental cost between a diesel and electric truck, up to $100,000 (whichever is less)
- Variations in tax credit amounts apply for various combined vehicle weight ratings, Leased vs. Owned vehicles, and Vehicle Conversions
- Washington State Clean Alternative Fuel Commercial Vehicle Infrastructure Tax Credit:
50% of the eligible infrastructure costs - Learn more about the specific details of these tax credits.
Federal Incentives
- Federal Clean Commercial Vehicle Tax Credit
- A maximum credit of up to $40,000 for qualified clean commercial vehicles
- Federal Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit