Long Beach, California — Fleet operators and independent drivers facing strict zero-emission port mandates are finding a financial lifeline through heavy-duty electric truck subscription services that bundle vehicles and charging depots into a single monthly fee. Regulatory pressure is mounting across the country, led by California policies designed to ban diesel rigs from port registries starting in 2024 and phase them out completely by 2035, while states like New Jersey implement similar emissions-reduction frameworks.
These environmental directives target high-pollution areas surrounding freight hubs, often referred to by public health experts as diesel death zones due to elevated childhood asthma rates near freeways and rail yards. However, the transition presents a massive financial barrier for small carriers and owner-operators, as battery-electric drayage trucks frequently cost more than double the price of traditional diesel equipment. Compounding the issue, charging infrastructure remains scarce, and sorting through complex government grants demands hours of administrative work that drivers hauling freight 12 hours a day simply do not have.
Oakland-based startup Forum Mobility is stepping into this gap by aggregating state and federal rebates to finance vehicle purchases and depot construction, passing the equipment to drayage companies via a monthly subscription. The firm recently secured a $400 million joint venture backed by CBRE Investment Management and Homecoming Capital, alongside a $15 million Series A round from Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and other backers. Financial assistance programs include California Air Resources Board vouchers worth $150,000, federal Inflation Reduction Act credits up to $40,000, and regional air district grants, alongside low-carbon fuel standard credits that allow electric truck operators to monetize carbon offsets.
What This Means for Drivers
CDL-A drivers and independent owner-operators face intense pressure from changing state mandates and federal guidelines as the industry shifts away from internal combustion engines. Subscription models remove the burden of navigating complicated grant applications, allowing operators to focus on hauling freight rather than chasing bureaucratic paperwork. Fleets must also contend with labor shifts like California's AB 5 law, which pushes logistics companies to convert contractors into employees while simultaneously equipping them with compliant zero-emission rigs.
Industry Reaction
Industry leaders note that subscription services provide a practical workaround for small business owners who lack the capital to purchase electric trucks outright. Rudy Diaz, president of Hight Logistics in Long Beach, turned to Forum Mobility to secure electric trucks and charging access for a monthly fee because his operation lacked the internal resources to investigate grants and manage applications. CARB freight policy manager Andre Freeman points out that full-circle shop setups and subscription frameworks give smaller operators a viable path forward by bundling vehicles and infrastructure into straightforward monthly payments.
Key Points
- California regulations aim to phase out diesel drayage trucks completely by 2035.
- Electric heavy-duty trucks often cost more than double the price of traditional diesel rigs.
- Forum Mobility launched a $400 million joint venture to acquire electric drayage trucks and build charging depots.
- CARB offers $150,000 vouchers per truck, supplemented by federal Inflation Reduction Act incentives.
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