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 PM_2.5) 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.