Vision will be installing its proprietary electric/hydrogen hybrid drive system in Cargotec’s Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors.

Vision Industries Corp. and Cargotec USA have agreed to cooperate on a zero-emission terminal tractor demonstration project for the Technology Advancement Program, a clean-air initiative sponsored by the twin Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Vision will be installing its proprietary electric/hydrogen hybrid drive system in Cargotec’s Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors.

Terminal tractors, also known as short-haul drays or yard goats, are used to move shipping containers around within port facilities. They are perfect candidates for electrification – their required range is very short, but because a typical port uses a lot of them, operating around the clock, they are a significant source of air pollution. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been researching low- and zero-emission vehicles for years, and are testing various electric, hydrogen and natural gas-powered options.

“We are excited to be working with Cargotec USA. They are the market leader in terminal tractors,” said Vision CEO Martin Schuermann.

Not to be outdone in eloquence, Cargotec’s David Wood quipped, “there is a growing global demand for clean container movement technologies.”

Image: Vision Industries Corp