Last Mile Freight Program
SCAG has partnered with the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) to establish the Last Mile Freight Program (LFMP). The LMFP is a component of a larger effort by MSRC to reduce emissions from goods movement. Last mile freight activity is a critical component of supply chains for both consumers and intermediary businesses dealing with physical goods. E-commerce has had a profound impact on last mile delivery growth, and in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the frequency of deliveries, adding further stress to global supply chains, while air quality challenges continue to impact the public health of the region. The LMFP serves as an initial step toward implementing freight-related clean vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure to support cleaner air goals.
SCAG has developed a two-phased approach for the LMFP:
- Phase 1: Focused on the commercial deployment of zero-emission or near-zero emission (ZE/NZE) heavy- and/or medium-duty on-road trucks (including ZE/NZE equipment and supporting infrastructure).
- Phase 2: Expand on Phase 1 projects to deploy operational strategies demonstrated by last mile delivery companies.
A total of $16,751,000 was awarded in Phase 1 of the LMFP through the call for projects and selection process.
CONTACT
For more information about the LMFP, please email LMFP@scag.ca.gov.
Program Goals
The LMFP aims to:
- Achieve immediate greenhouse gas emission and criteria air pollutant (for NOx and PM2.5) reductions from commercially deployed vehicles and equipment and facilitate supporting infrastructure.
- Inform both industry and the public regarding ZE/NZE vehicles and equipment and supporting infrastructure performance and how this information can be used to scale emission reductions to contribute to regional air quality goals.
- Provide private operators and stakeholders with information on return on investment and cost-effectiveness insights into ZE/NZE vehicles and equipment and infrastructure operations, maintenance, and reliability.
- Create greater transparency regarding the need for public versus private ZE/NZE supporting infrastructure.
- Inform the needs and help address the challenges to significantly scale ZE/NZE vehicles/ equipment and infrastructure in the region.
- Achieve geographic funding diversity and ensure that the LFMP provides economic and environmental benefits across the entire region.
Additionally, the LMFP is guided by a set of core principles as follows:
- Creating transparency as to critical barriers impeding the transformation of the last mile freight market.
- Measuring success for both public and private entities.
- Optimizing where investments can generate the strongest benefits for further growth.
- Achieving air quality reduction targets.
Award Recipients
SCAG LMFP awarded $16.8 million to fund investments in zero- and near-zero commercial vehicle technologies that reduce emissions during last mile freight operations and support the region’s clean-air goals included in the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.
SCAG’s Regional Council and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee unanimously approved awarding of the funds in November 2021 and January 2022.
| Business Size | Project Title & Business Name | Project Score | Award Funds | Cumulative Award Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | WattEV HD Battery Electric Truck Deployment: Enabling Equitable Electrification/Watt EV | 86 | $2,958,990 | $2,958,990 |
| Big | Good to the Last Dropoff – Sysco's Zero Emission Last Mile Freight Initiative/Sysco Corporation | 85 | $2,378,019 | $5,337,009 |
| Big | Accelerating Zero Emissions Last Mile Freight in the South Coast Air Basin/Quality Custom Distribution | 84 | $4,184,000 | $9,521,009 |
| Big | Penske Accelerated Electrification of Last Mile Freight Operations/Penske Logistics, LLC | 83 | $790,786 | $10,311,795 |
| Small | Expanding Access and Scaling Electrification (EASE) for Small Fleets/Zeem Solutions | 79 | $2,378,019 | $12,689,814 |
| Big | New Bern Buena Park Electrification Project/Pepsico | 79 | $2,609,086 | $15,298,900 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 68 | $70,000 | $15,143,900 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 67 | $77,500 | $15,221,400 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 66 | $77,500 | $15,298,900 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 66 | $387,500 | $15,686,400 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 65 | $77,500 | $15,841,400 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 64 | $70,000 | $16,058,900 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 64 | $70,000 | $16,128,900 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 63 | $62,100 | $16,191,000 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 62 | $70,000 | $16,261,000 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 62 | $70,000 | $16,331,000 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 62 | $70,000 | $16,401,000 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 62 | $70,000 | $16,471,000 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 61 | $70,000 | $16,541,000 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 61 | $70,000 | $16,611,000 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 60 | $70,000 | $16,681,000 |
| Small | Independent Owner-Operator | 60 | $70,000 | $16,751,000 |
2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop Program Announced
Register today to join SCAG for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SCAG offices in downtown Los Angeles. Online attendance is also available.
The program will gather local leaders, elected officials, and demographic experts to discuss how changing population growth affects regional planning—from accommodating development to improving quality of life and cultivating the economy.
2024 Southern California Demographics Workshop Registration Open, Keynote Announced
Registration is now open for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Navigating the New Growth Reality,” presented by SCAG and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. This 35th annual event will be held on Sept. 24 at SCAG’s main office in Downtown Los Angeles and will also be available to attend online.
Final State Budget Secures $480 Million for REAP 2.0 Program; Restores More Funding
The California State Legislature has approved the Budget Act of 2024, taking a major step forward in addressing the housing crisis by restoring funding to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) program and other funding programs crucial to Southern California’s collective goals.
Regional Early Action Planning Program Update
On May 30, the legislative leadership in the State Assembly and State Senate announced the Joint Legislative Budget Plan. Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts of SCAG and its partners, the Joint Legislative Budget Plan restores funding for several programs cut under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January Budget proposal and May Revision.
General Assembly Elects 2024-25 Board Officers
The General Assembly approved the nominations for the SCAG 2024-25 Board Officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino) will serve as 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon.
Connect SoCal 2024 Approved
The formal adoption of Connect SoCal 202
Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Advocacy Updates
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget announced on Jan. 16 includes $300 million in cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) that will result in approximately $123 million in cuts from SCAG’s $246 million REAP 2.0 program.
Proposed State Budget Would Cut Funding for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program
The proposed budget announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 16 includes $1.2 billion in cuts to funding for housing programs, including $300 million for the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0).
Connect SoCal 2024 Public Comment Update
As part of the public comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, SCAG hosted 15 briefings with elected officials in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. In all, 229 local elected officials, city and county staff and stakeholders participated in the briefings, where SCAG leadership shared details of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 and discussed implementing the plan’s vision for a more resilient and equitable future.
SCAG Adopts Carbon Reduction Program Guidelines
The SCAG Executive/Administration Committee approved guidelines for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) on Dec. 6, 2023. SCAG will be initiating a combined solicitation for project nominations for the CRP along with the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program—all FHWA funding programs—in Jan. 2024. Eligible entities should begin discussing potential nominations with their respective county transportation commission as soon as possible.
Draft Connect SoCal 2024 and Draft Program Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Public Comment
The SCAG Regional Council voted on Nov. 2, 2023, to release both the draft Connect SoCal 2024, the region’s 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment through Jan. 12, 2024. The comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan begins on Nov. 23, while the comment period for the draft PEIR begins on Nov. 9.
Economic Summit Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for SCAG’s 14th annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Mark your calendars and register now to join leaders in business, planning and public policy to assess the state of the region’s economy.
Demographic Workshop Program Preview
Registration is open for the 34th annual Demographic Workshop, “The Seismic Generational Shift,” hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy on Sept. 20. This event will take place at the SCAG Main Office in downtown Los Angeles, with an online broadcast for virtual viewing.
SCAG Awarded $237 Million for REAP 2.0
The Department of Housing and Community Development has officially approved SCAG’s full funding application, awarding SCAG with more than $237 million in REAP 2.0 funds.
Update on the RHNA Reform Process and Schedule
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is crafting recommendations to reform the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which will be provided in a report to the California State Legislature by Dec. 31.
SCAG Leads Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly
SCAG kicked off the 2023 Regional Conference & General Assembly today in Palm Desert with a message from outgoing Regional Council President Jan Harnik and a video review of SCAG’s accomplishments from 2022-23.
SCAG Kicks Off Public Outreach Initiatives for Connect SoCal 2024
Every four years, SCAG updates its visionary plan for the future of the region, Connect SoCal. This process is now underway, and we want to hear from our stakeholders.
Please join us at a public workshop or pop-up event to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. The purpose of these events is to gather input from each community to establish planning priorities for the next 20 to 30 years.