SSA Terminals, LLC has commissioned 33 terminal tractors designed for zero-emission Electrical Vehicles (EVs) using fully automated high-power Quick Charging Connector (QCC) systems.
Stäubli Electrical Connectors, a leading global manufacturer of electrical connector solutions, has completed its agreement with SSA Terminals, LLC, a joint venture with Matson Navigation Company, to provide EV automated charging connections for 33 terminal tractors at the Port of Long Beach, California. This project is one of the biggest mechanized charging programs for electric vehicles at active ports in the United States. SSA Terminals and Stäubli are also currently implementing five additional units with QCCs at the Port of Oakland.
The project with SSA Terminals is part of a $50 million Port of Long Beach grant obtained from the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Zero and Near Zero Emission Freight Facility (ZANZEFF) program. ZANZEFF funds transformative emissions reduction strategies at freight facilities throughout the state and is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.
For this project, 33 tractors designed to transport shipping containers around the terminal were built with an EV powertrain. SSA Terminals, which manages the port terminal, chose Australian firm Tritium to install 175kW DC High Power Chargers to power the tractors; and Stäubli to install its QCC solution for automated, rapid charging.
Benefits to California and its Ports
Stäubli’s QCC system uses an enclosed pin-and-socket design that is self-cleaning, touch-protected on both sides of the connector and easily corrects for misalignment. At the Port of Long Beach, the 33 QCC systems automatically connect Tritium’s chargers to an electric receptacle on each terminal tractor, creating a safe, efficient, charging system. Here are a few highlights of this technology solution:
“Stäubli is grateful to SSA Marine for the opportunity to link the vehicle to the infrastructure, demonstrating innovative zero emissions technology that will improve operational efficiencies without polluting the air in our environment.” said David Rababy – Head of Sales E-Mobility North America.
This project with Stäubli is another step in SSA Terminals’ path toward decarbonizing its operations, building upon the company’s long history of innovation in testing and deploying new technologies to reduce emissions at marine terminals.
For more information, please visit http://www.staubli.com.