PhilaPort’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal Goes Electric with Orange EV Yard Trucks

PhilaPort’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia is moving toward 100% fully electric crane and yard operations, and Orange EV trucks are leading the charge. As part of the initiative, the port has committed $79 million to add 24 electric yard trucks to its operations, replacing diesel equipment with zero-emission alternatives built for the demands of a working marine terminal.

NBC10 Philadelphia covered the announcement on-site, where port and logistics leaders spoke to what the shift means for the region.

“It’s actually the revolution that has now overtaken marine terminals throughout the United States,” said Leo Holt of Holt Logistics.

Rich Lazar of PhilaPort echoed that sustainability and growth go hand in hand at the terminal, framing the investment as part of a broader push to modernize operations while cutting emissions.

Why It Matters

Marine terminals run some of the toughest duty cycles in the industry: constant stop-and-go, heavy loads, and around-the-clock schedules. Electrifying that equipment does two things at once. It removes a major source of diesel emissions from a dense urban port environment, and it gives operators a lower cost of ownership over the life of the truck compared to diesel yard tractors.
Orange EV’s zero-emission yard trucks are purpose-built for exactly this kind of environment, which is why they’re the equipment of choice as Packer Avenue Marine Terminal moves toward its electrification goals.