On September 15th, the Technology Happy Hour featured the Green Operator Program. The Green Operator Program is the Port of Virginia’s clean engine program, administered by the Port of Virginia, EcoLogix, and Virginia Clean Cities. The program provides rebates of up to $30,000 toward the purchase of a drayage truck with a 2014 or newer engine to operators serving the port of Virginia.
Ecologix’s Senior Associate, Ed Mihalski, shared an overview of the program, and past program participant, Sephora Roberson, shared her experience with the program and how it has been helpful to her business.
In Sephora’s experience, participating in the program helped her reduce maintenance time and improve her profits. She shared that prior to the program:
“I would say 25% of my income was going towards fixing the truck. It’s these filters that have to be cleaned professionally, so you will miss half a day. That’s missing profit. Plus, you have to get it fixed and it was really a lot because you end up losing two or three days waiting because everyone needs that same process with the older trucks. But the new trucks, they actually clean themselves. So you still have to sit for two or three hours, but that can be between dropping a load. And it’s really great on diesel, it uses about a third as much as before because before I think I was maybe doing about 5 miles per gallon, but now it’s like 9. That is a lot! Especially when you spend about $2,500 a week per truck on diesel.”
If you are a Dray Operator for the Port of Virginia or are just interested in efforts the port is making to reduce emissions, you may be interested in this program. To be eligible, a dray truck must:
- Be operable.
- Provide drayage service to The Port of Virginia facilities.
- Have engine model year 2006 or older, Class 8 vehicles with a GVWR of 33,000 pounds or more.
- Be owned by the applicant for at least two years, verified by date on the title.
- Be operated at least 7,000 miles for each of the two prior years to be accepted.
- Be operable on the date that it is authorized for scrappage.
- Have current vehicle registration and proof of valid insurance coverage.
- Must be free of any liens.
- Be able to drive forward and backward at least 25 feet.
View the video below or check it out on our YouTube channel to learn more about the program and hear from our recent program participant.
The Technology Happy Hour is a monthly series presented by Virginia Clean Cities aiming to connect individuals and fleets to technologies and provide a space for discussion.