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 |
CONNECT SOCAL 2024 SUBCOMMITTEES
In September 2022, SCAG launched three subcommittees to look at emerging issues for the Connect SoCal 2024 plan.
The Resilience and Conservation subcommittee, and the Racial Equity and Regional Planning subcommittee concluded last month, and members of both committees unanimously approved a set of recommendations.
The Next Generation Infrastructure subcommittee will meet on Feb. 15 to review their key findings and finalize their own recommendations.
10 SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING SUPPORTIVE GRANT APPLICATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
In addition to Permanent Local Housing Allocation application assistance, SCAG is offering technical assistance for jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to prepare and submit applications for housing-supportive funding.
State Agency Meetings
On Nov. 8 and 9, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson traveled to Sacramento for a series of meetings with executive leadership at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Office of Planning Research (OPR), the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Continuing development of the REAP 2.0 program, staff have been conducting outreach to identify priorities for transformative planning and implementation. This has included engaging representatives from disadvantaged and rural communities on their participation in the program. Most recently, staff hosted virtual workshops to provide information and collect feedback from tribal entities and the public.
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Since the approval of the REAP 2.0 Program Framework by the Regional Council (RC) in July, staff has continued outreach efforts to develop specific programs using the framework as a guiding document.
33rd Annual Demographic Workshop Dates Announced
The 33rd Annual Demographic Workshop, co-hosted by SCAG and the University of Southern California, will be held virtually on the afternoons of Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 21. This year’s workshop will explore the demographic trends that have and have not bounced back following the COVID-19 pandemic, how different populations have experienced the rebound in different ways, and the impact of remote work and other emerging trends in our cities. More information will be available soon.
President Harnik Shares Region’s Housing and Transportation Priorities
SCAG President Jan Harnik had the pleasure of hosting a recent meeting with Senate Transportation Committee Chair Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) to discuss our region’s housing and transportation budget priorities, such as the Regional Council’s support for an augmentation to the Infill Infrastructure Grant program and using budget surplus dollars to fully fund the Active Transportation Program.
State Housing Funds Awarded to 29 SCAG Jurisdictions
The California Department of Housing and Community Development approved another 35 jurisdictions for Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds, bringing the total to 135 jurisdictions state-wide. Specifically, 29 of the 35 jurisdictions are located in the SCAG region and totaled another $49.4 million in homelessness and affordable housing funds for PLHA’s second round. Total SCAG awards for PLHA’s second round are $121.9 million for 54 jurisdictions.
REGISTER FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SCAG’s 57th Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly is just around the corner on May 5–6. Register today for access to high-quality presentations and panels, featuring engaging speakers and thought leaders, and unbeatable networking opportunities filled with collaborative, solution-oriented discussions on fostering change and addressing challenges in our communities.
REGISTRATION FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOW OPEN!
Join Southern California’s most influential elected officials and policymakers on May 5–6, 2022 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. This two-day event will focus on solution-oriented discussions to address the most pressing problems facing communities, businesses, and families throughout the SCAG region. General admission tickets for the event are $350, but registrations done in advance by Thursday, March 31 using the code EARLYBIRD will receive $100 off the general admission price.
The February 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.
The January 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.