Tritium installs 33 “hands-free” autonomous fast chargers in California port

Queensland headquartered fast charging pioneer Tritium has completed the installation of 33 of its chargers at the Port of Long Beach, California, which are equipped with mechanised charging connectors to support electric-drive terminal tractors.

The 33 175kWh chargers are each equipped with Stäubli mechanised charging connectors that allow charging of the electric-drive tractors operating at the container terminal at Pier C.

The mechanised charging connectors allows for a zero-touch charging system, with the technology allowing the tractors to drive up and automatically connect with Tritium’s chargers.

Deployment of the chargers was led by terminal operator SSA Marine and Matson Navigation Company and was partially funded by a $50 million grant from the California Air Resources Board for the Sustainable Terminals Accelerating Regional Transformation, or START project.

This is the first large-scale port EV charging program using mechanised charging connectors anywhere in North America, and the largest deployment of EV chargers in port on the US West Coast.

“Autonomous charging is the future for EV depots and we’re excited to be leading the fast charger manufacturers in operationalizing hands-free charging for the Port of Long Beach,” said Jane Hunter, Tritium CEO.

The new EV chargers bring the percentage of zero-emissions equipment being used at the Port of Long Beach up to around 20%, with more zero-emissions equipment to be rolled out in the near future.