Port of San Diego Approves Skycharger Solar-Powered Electric Truck Hub

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has certified the Environmental Impact Report and authorized a Coastal Development Permit for Skychargers, LLC's flagship solar and electric semi truck project. The move clears the way for a specialized charging hub designed to accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks for local port and logistics fleets.

Located on a 4.8-acre site near the National City Marine Terminal on Tidelands Avenue, the facility will feature 70 charging ports dedicated to medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks. To support long-haul logistics, the hub includes secure overnight charging capabilities for 46 trucks. Power for the site will be provided by SDG&E, supplemented by an on-site 1,719-kW solar array and a 1.9 MW/7.8 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

A Strategy for Cleaner Air

The project is a key component of the Port of San Diego's Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS). This broader initiative seeks to reduce diesel pollution from maritime and industrial operations by electrifying heavy equipment and freight-handling assets. The project reflects a continued commitment to cleaner air and a healthier San Diego Bay, representing a direct investment in community public health.

Lowering Barriers to Electrification

Beyond the physical infrastructure, Skycharger is introducing a "Trucking as a Service" (TaaS) financial model to address the high capital barriers that often deter fleet operators from switching to electric vehicles. The TaaS model includes a 90-day "try before you buy" lease and a structured five-year path to ownership. By pairing this financial flexibility with on-site renewable energy and high-capacity charging, the project aims to solve the three primary hurdles of fleet electrification: prohibitive upfront costs, grid capacity constraints, and operational downtime.

Scaling Port Decarbonization

The Tidelands Avenue hub serves as a scalable model for decarbonization in high-pollution corridors. By integrating energy storage and solar generation, the facility reduces reliance on the traditional grid while providing the high-voltage power required for heavy-duty semi trucks. As the Port of San Diego continues to implement the MCAS, the success of this hub will likely inform how other maritime terminals manage the transition from diesel to zero-emission freight logistics. This integration of energy production and charging infrastructure creates a blueprint for reducing the carbon footprint of the global supply chain, starting at the water's edge.