The Port of Los Angeles has put into service the world's first all-electric port truck, a behemoth capable of hauling 60,000 lbs. of freight. That's just over 22 Teslas, or a 40-foot shipping container full of televisions from Korea or furniture from China.

Built locally in Harbor City, CA, the Balqon XE20 has a 50 mile range, a 6-8 hour standard full charge and a one-hour quick charge that brings the lithium-ion batteries up to 60% of capacity. Those specs are ideal for a truck that makes lots of short trips during a two-shift workday and sits idle for long stretches at night.

The trucks are part of the historically smoggy Port of Los Angeles' efforts to clean up its act and comply with California's strict air quality regulations. Where diesels used to idle, a bevy of locally-built electric vehicles now haul trailers. The XE20 is the latest from Balqon Corportation, joining the on-road XE30 that debuted last year.

Though most people will never see a port truck, their impact on the environment is unmistakable. At the Port of LA alone, trucks made 1.2 million trips between ships and a local railyard, according to Arley Baker, the Port's director of communications. If electric vehicles had made those trips, the Port estimated, it would have eliminated 35,606 tons of tailpipe emissions.

Other ports have taken note of L.A.'s electric trucks: Baker said around 40 drivers and terminal managers showed up at the XE20's debut last week. That's good news for the Port of L.A., who gets a royalty for every Balqon truck sold.

Photos: Port of Los Angeles

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