The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has launched a new electric truck charging station at Port Newark, marking a major step toward greener freight operations at the busiest port complex on the U.S. East Coast.
Located at the truck welcome center on Marlin and Kellogg streets, the station features four 350-kilowatt direct current (DC) fast chargers. These units provide compatibility with most commercial electric truck models currently available and are designed to support drayage truck operators who move shipping containers short distances from terminals to warehouses. A 10–15-minute charge can extend range by 20 to 40 miles, helping drivers reduce downtime and complete additional trips during their workday.
A Push Toward Zero-Emission Trucking
According to the seaport’s most recent air emissions inventory, drayage trucking accounts for roughly 48 percent of greenhouse gas emissions across the port, the largest single source of emissions in the complex. By expanding access to charging infrastructure, the Port Authority aims to accelerate adoption of electric trucks and reduce harmful emissions.
Kevin O’Toole, Port Authority Chairman, underscored the importance of addressing trucking emissions. “What gets taken off these ships and loaded onto these trucks is ultimately what ends up in our closets, in our refrigerators, and in our garages,” O’Toole said. “It’s our duty to make sure every element of the critical work at the Port of New York and New Jersey is operating as efficiently and sustainably as possible.”
Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority, added that the agency’s pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 includes its partners. “We want to add charging infrastructure wherever possible, from the East Coast’s busiest port to our airports and at Port Authority facilities across the region to help every facet of our transportation ecosystem become more environmentally friendly,” Cotton said.
Site Upgrades and Accessibility
The charging station’s installation required significant infrastructure work, including upgrades to the underground electrical grid in partnership with PSE&G and raising the platform to mitigate flood risk. Alongside the new chargers, nearby driver restrooms in Building 272 were renovated with new fixtures, tiles, and LED lighting.
Initially, the chargers will operate from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. due to the ongoing Port Street Corridor Improvement Project, which channels heavy truck traffic through the area. Once that project is complete in late 2025, the facility will expand to 24-hour service. Charging is priced at $0.45 per kilowatt hour plus tax, with a $1 per minute idling fee possible if site demand requires.
Broader Sustainability Efforts at the Port
The electric truck charging station builds on a series of environmental initiatives at the Port of New York and New Jersey. These include:
- A Truck Replacement Program offering financial incentives for companies to retire older diesel models.
- The Clean Vessel Incentive, which rewards ocean carriers that voluntarily reduce speed near the port.
- Requirements for marine terminal operators to transition to zero-emission cargo handling equipment when commercially available.
- Expansion of the on-dock ExpressRail system, enabling freight to reach inland markets such as the Midwest and New England by rail instead of truck.
Port tenants are also contributing. For example, Port Newark Container Terminal recently completed a large solar installation. According to the Port Authority, emissions reductions since 2006 include a 98 percent cut in sulfur dioxide, and more than 70 percent reductions in nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, even as cargo volumes rose by nearly 60 percent.
Extending Electrification Beyond the Seaport
The agency is also expanding electric vehicle charging at airports. Earlier this year, a joint project with Revel doubled charging capacity at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Similar facilities are scheduled to open at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports. On the airside, ground service equipment such as baggage tugs and tow tractors are being converted to electric power.
By the end of 2025, the Port Authority expects 58 percent of its own non-emergency light-duty fleet to be electric, with a target of 100 percent by 2028.
At the seaport, the Port Street Corridor Improvement Project—currently under construction—will modernize a key interchange to improve safety and efficiency for the thousands of trucks serving the port daily. The new electric truck chargers are positioned as a cornerstone in this ongoing transition to a more sustainable and efficient freight ecosystem.
