Santa Monica Institutes 'Zero-Emissions Delivery Zone'

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, the city of Santa Monica, in partnership with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), "have rolled out their one-mile zero-emissions delivery zone," which will "provide priority access to zero-emissions delivery vehicles, including electric vans, e-cargo scooters and remote-controlled small delivery bots, within certain loading zones." Cailin Crowe reports that the city hopes to "alleviate its own last-mile delivery challenges while also supporting its local climate and mobility goals."

With the pandemic accelerating the recent trend toward home delivery of more and more products, the World Economic Forum anticipates 36% more delivery vehicles in cities by 2030. The emissions-free zone "will support the region's work to expedite transportation electrification ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games" and stay on top of the latest green technologies.

"The partners will test a number of innovations within the area, aimed at helping to create local green jobs and improve quality of life, including: electric micromobility solutions, medium and light-duty e-delivery vehicles for goods, and 'first-in-the-nation' commercial medium-duty electric truck-sharing and charging available for small businesses." The city hopes the program will show that "entrenched transportation systems can be changed," said Santa Monica Senior Transportation Planner Kyle Kozar, and create a potential "playbook" for future efforts in emissions-free delivery zones.