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Announcements

Forum Mobility Starts Construction of Heavy-Duty Electric Truck Charging Depot in the Port of Long Beach

The “FM Harbor” facility will support high-speed charging for hundreds of drayage trucks daily, supporting California’s transition to zero-emission transportation.

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 15, 2024 – Forum Mobility, a leading heavy-duty truck charging infrastructure provider, celebrated the groundbreaking of its new “FM Harbor” charging depot in the Port of Long Beach during an event on Wednesday. The facility will serve over 200 electric drayage trucks per day with high-speed charging infrastructure once complete by the end of 2024, supporting California’s transition to zero-emission transportation. Speakers at the event included participants from the City of Long Beach, the Port of Long Beach, the California Air Resources Board, Amazon, Talon Logistics, Redefined Transportation, and Harbor Trucking Association.

The FM Harbor facility is part of a larger Forum Mobility network of heavy-duty truck charging depots strategically located in ports and on routes to common freight destinations. Each depot includes on-site security, charging, and driver parking to deliver a plug-in-play experience for truckers switching to electric.

“Forum is building dedicated infrastructure for heavy-duty trucks to transition from diesel to electricity. With the support of the Port of Long Beach, the FM Harbor depot will provide drayage truckers a turn-key solution for zero-emission freight. At Forum Mobility facilities like this one, fleets can make the transition simply and without using their own capital,” said Matt LeDucq, CEO and co-founder of Forum Mobility.

Forum Mobility offers monthly subscription options for truck operators that include charging, or charging plus a truck together in one package. Amazon Global Mile, Talon Logistics, Ocean Network Express (North America) / Boxlinks, and Redefined Transportation have already secured reservations from Forum Mobility to utilize the facility. Other truck operators can also still join the network.

“Securing fully-staffed and dedicated charging inside the port makes us pioneers in the space, which puts us ahead of the competition,” said Emmanuel Carrillo, Talon Chief Executive Officer. “FM Harbor couldn’t be more convenient — 7,000 trucks a day go into the Port of Long Beach, and our fleet will be one of the few able to charge right next to the terminals. Forum’s turnkey charging solution allows me to focus on growing my business and serving my customers.”

Investors in the facility include Elemental Excelerator, a nonprofit investor focused on scaling climate technology for deep community impact. Elemental’s investment and support covered essential development costs, such as permitting and engineering design in addition to coaching for effective community, policymaker and other stakeholder engagement.

“We are proud to invest in projects like FM Harbor that result in a healthier, cleaner and more affordable future. Forum’s heavy-duty electric charging depot will directly reduce emissions in the surrounding community,” said Danya Hakeem, Elemental Excelerator Vice President of Portfolio. “We are ready to scale projects like these nationwide.”

California faces a particular need for heavy-duty truck charging infrastructure to meet the state’s goal of a 100% zero-emission drayage fleet by 2035, representing approximately 33,000 class 8 trucks. The California Energy Commission estimates that to comply with the Advanced Clean Fleet and other regulations, California will need 157,000 medium and heavy-duty chargers by 2030.

The FM Harbor charging depot will offer 19 dual-port 360 kW chargers and six 360 kW single-dispenser chargers, able to charge 44 trucks simultaneously and over 200 trucks per day. The facility is expected to come online by the end of 2024. This charging depot represents the type of replicable, scalable projects that stand to deliver jobs and health benefits at ports around the country — at a time when there is unprecedented federal funding and incentives to convert diesel truck fleets.

“We are excited to celebrate this milestone with so many leaders in the Port of Long Beach drayage community,” added LeDucq. “The Port of Long Beach has been an excellent partner in prioritizing charging. And most importantly, we are pleased to celebrate with so many of our customers, who are truly leading the way forward on zero emission freight.”

About Forum Mobility
Forum Mobility is a leading zero emission trucking solutions provider. Forum builds and operates heavy duty electric truck charging depots, and provides customers with charging – or a truck plus charging together – to make the transition to zero emission vehicles as easy as possible. Learn more at forummobility.com.

About Elemental Excelerator
Elemental is a nonprofit investor in climate technologies with deep community impact. Elemental has a 14-year track record of investing in companies scaling essential climate solutions that make neighborhoods and homes cleaner, healthier, safer, and more affordable. Elemental, which has successfully stewarded $180 million in government and philanthropic resources, de-risks technologies for additional investment and centers social equity and community impact in project deployment.

Lime Strikes Deal For Zero-Emissions EV Shipping With Hight Logistics And Forum Mobility

Agreement will shift an anticipated 300+ port-to-hub shipments per year to fully-electric zero-emission trucks

Lime announces commitment to shipping 10 percent of goods by zero-emission boats by 2030, and 100 percent by 2040 as part of World Economic Forum’s Mission Possible Partnership

LONG BEACH, Calif., March 14, 2024 – Lime, the world’s largest operator of shared light electric vehicles, Hight Logistics, and Forum Mobility announced a new deal for zero-emissions port-to-hub shipping for all Lime freight arriving in North America through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Forum Mobility, a leading zero-emission electric truck charging provider, is providing the electric trucks and charging to Hight Logistics, a family-owned drayage provider in Long Beach, CA. In 2023, nearly 50% of all of Lime’s new vehicles and parts globally arrived through Los Angeles ports now covered under the agreement. Lime anticipates the agreement will shift more than 300 port-to-hub shipments to electric, zero-emission trucks annually.

As part of the announcement, Lime is also among the first companies to share its commitment to the World Economic Forum’s Mission Possible Partnership commitment to zero-emission international shipping. Under Lime’s new commitment, 10 percent of the volume of its goods shipped internationally will be on ships using zero-emission fuels by 2030, on the way to 100 percent of shipments by 2040. Lime hopes that as owners of global cargo it can be among a collection of forward-minded businesses driving the investment and innovation to decarbonize the entire logistics sector.

“We’re thrilled to play a leading part in the EV freight transition through this exciting partnership with Hight Logistics and Forum Mobility,” said Andrew Savage, VP for Sustainability at Lime. “EV shipping needs demand signals to really get moving, and given our ambitious climate goals, Lime is happy to provide them. Businesses need to prioritize zero-emission hauling and take their Scope 3 emissions seriously, regardless of the new SEC rule that omitted reporting on these massive emissions. We believe firmly in a carbon-free future and we’re taking these important steps to decarbonize our shipping logistics on our path to achieving our ambitious net zero carbon goals.”

In the last two years, Lime utilized more than 700 truckloads of freight through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as it scaled its business and updated its e-scooter and e-bike fleet across North America. As part of the partnership, future shipments will be completed via zero-emissions vehicles. This deal is Lime’s first for zero-emission drayage. It will continue to explore similar agreements globally, in particular with its European shipping hub.

The deal aligns with Lime’s efforts to decarbonize its business, and its 2030 net zero target, validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative, the top organization for corporate carbon target setting. Lime continues to make strides toward decarbonizing across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, already achieving a 37% carbon reduction from its 2019 baseline. Lime anticipates a significant further reduction for 2023 and is expected to report on those emissions reductions mid-year.

Lime chose Hight Logistics for its commitment to sustainable freight, competitive pricing and demonstrated ability to provide high-quality drayage services.

“We believe in doing the right thing – and zero-emission trucking is the future in California. Since we made the decision to invest in electric trucks, we’ve had cargo owners seek us out specifically, wanting to lower their climate impact. Hight Logistics is proud to be able to deliver the goods without the emissions,” said Rudy Diaz, CEO of Hight Logistics. “For all cargo owners, if you are looking to decarbonize your supply chain, lower Scope 3 emissions, lower your WAIRE points, or meet climate commitments, our electric truck fleet is ready and growing,” Mr. Diaz added.

Zero-emission heavy duty freight is a relatively new but fast growing sector. Rules passed by the California Air Resources Board in April of 2023 require a gradual shift to zero-emission trucks throughout the state. By 2035, the entire drayage fleet, currently consisting of 33,000 class 8 trucks, must be zero emission.

Forum Mobility is developing a network of charging depots in and around ports and on routes to common freight destinations. Forum’s staffed and secure depots offer charging, or charging plus a truck together, for a monthly fee — providing one-stop electric truck solutions to independent owner operators and large carriers alike.

“Zero-emission freight is a generational change, and Hight and Lime are setting the bar for leadership through action. Forum Mobility’s mission is to ensure that everyone has the ability to benefit from going zero emission. Forum’s principals have decades of experience building electric infrastructure — we take on the challenges, costs, and operations of infrastructure so truckers and carriers of all sizes can focus on their business and their customers. Hight and Lime are driving the future, and we’re proud to support their journey,” said Matt LeDucq, CEO and co-founder of Forum Mobility.

About Lime
Lime’s mission is to build a future where transportation is shared, affordable and carbon-free. As the world’s largest provider of shared electric vehicles, Lime partners with cities to deploy electric bikes and scooters to serve trips under five miles. A Time Magazine 100 Most Influential Company in 2021 and Fast Company Brand that Matters in 2022, Lime has powered more than 500 million rides in nearly 280 cities across five continents, spurring a new generation of clean alternatives to car ownership. Learn more at li.me.

About Hight Logistics
Hight Logistics Inc is a mid-sized logistics company at the forefront of the zero-emissions movement. They specialize in drayage services out of the Long Beach & Los Angeles port complex, providing customers with sustainable transport of their products between port and warehouse. Hight’s goal is to help offset the air pollution around the ports and in the greater Los Angeles area, with a greater mission to play a role in creating solutions for the care and maintenance of our world. As a business, they believe they have a moral duty and a responsibility to contribute to the surrounding environment so that future generations can have a safe, stable and clean environment to live in. Learn more at hightlogistics.com

Forum Mobility and CBRE Investment Management Announce $400 Million Joint Venture and $15 Million Series A Targeting Equitable Electrification of Heavy-Duty Port Transit

Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and Homecoming Capital also invest
Venture provides electric truck solutions to fleets and small independent drivers alike
Port communities of Long Beach and Oakland will be among the first to integrate Forum Mobility
Forum Mobility CEO to fleets: “We’re building charging where it is needed most – from ports to distribution centers”

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 17, 2023 – Forum Mobility, a zero-emission trucking solutions provider, today announced the closure of a $15 million Series A funding round, and a new $400 million joint venture, both led by a fund sponsored by CBRE Investment Management, to provide comprehensive, zero-emission charging and vehicle solutions to drayage truck fleets and drivers. Homecoming Capital also participated in the Series A funding round and provided $100 million to the joint venture.

“We are building a comprehensive charging network for heavy-duty trucks to make the transition to electrification. This network will need a lot of infrastructure and real estate, and CBRE IM is the perfect partner to help us build charging where it’s needed most. Fleets can bring their trucks to our network, or we can provide electric trucks bundled with charging. Today we can provide a Class 8 electric truck, and all its charging needs, at a monthly price that’s competitive with diesel – without the emissions,” said Matt LeDucq, CEO and co-founder of Forum Mobility. “With new rules coming soon from the California Air Resources Board, we help fleets and drivers looking to make the jump to electric.”

“The transportation sector is the largest contributor to GHG emissions, and heavy-duty transportation in particular has long been considered one of the hardest to decarbonize,” said Robert Shaw, Managing Director, Private Infrastructure at CBRE Investment Management. “This marks our third investment in sustainable transportation since 2019 as we continue to execute on our strategy of investing in infrastructure assets that we believe will thrive in the new electric and digital economies. We are excited to form this strategic partnership with Forum Mobility and leverage the broader CBRE platform to supercharge the transition to sustainable, zero-emission logistics solutions.”

Currently proposed regulations from the California Air Resources Board would require all of California’s drayage fleet – approximately 30,000 trucks – to be zero-emission by 2035. Charging infrastructure is a key ingredient for success – the California Energy Commission estimates that to comply with these and other proposed vehicle regulations, California will need 157,000 medium and heavy-duty chargers by 2030.

“To address global warming at scale, we need solutions that support the transition to electric vehicles, especially in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like heavy duty trucking,” said Rodrigo Prudencio, Principal at Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund. “Forum Mobility’s solution will help small business owners electrify their transportation fleets, remove air pollution from California’s ports, and provide the charging infrastructure needed to support the growing use of electric trucks.”

“Electric trucks work. But to deploy them at scale, we need to build a tremendous amount of charging infrastructure. The Forum Mobility team has construction in their DNA – and is perfectly suited to deploy the infrastructure required to enable drayage truck electrification. We are excited to support their efforts to reduce emissions from heavy duty trucking along California’s port corridors,” said Pat Arnold of Homecoming Capital.

Forum Mobility’s existing seed investors all participated in the Series A, including Obvious Ventures, Edison International, Overture, and Homecoming Capital. New Series A investors include CBRE Investment Management, Elemental Excelerator and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund.

Forum Mobility helps port communities participate in the economic and environmental benefits of the EV transition. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 7, 2022 at Hight Logistics, a small independent fleet operator in Long Beach, showcased Forum Mobility’s swift success in bringing electric trucks and charging access to ensure cleaner air and new market opportunities.

About Forum Mobility
Forum Mobility provides accessible zero-emission trucking solutions for drayage in California, from building and operating the charging infrastructure to offering class 8 zero-emission electric trucks. Forum is currently developing a network of charging depots around the Oakland and Los Angeles/Long Beach ports, and along common trucking routes to warehouse destinations, offering a one-stop solution that makes it easy for small independent operators and large fleets alike. For more information, visit forummobility.com.

About Homecoming Capital
Homecoming Capital is a climate-focused firm that invests in businesses that decarbonize the economy as they grow. Homecoming’s investments span North America and Europe and support businesses driving decarbonization of the energy, transportation, and industrial sectors. For more information, please visit homecomingcapital.com.

About Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund
Amazon launched the Climate Pledge Fund in June 2020 to support the development of innovative climate technologies and services that will enable Amazon to meet its Climate Pledge commitment of net zero carbon by 2040. This dedicated investment program – with an initial $2 billion in funding – invests in visionary companies whose products and solutions will facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Learn more: https://fund.theclimatepledge.com/

About CBRE Investment Management
CBRE Investment Management is a leading global real assets investment management firm with $143.9 billion in assets under management* as of September 30, 2022, operating in more than 30 offices and 20 countries around the world. Through its investor-operator culture, the firm seeks to deliver sustainable investment solutions across real assets categories, geographies, risk profiles and execution formats so that its clients, people and communities thrive.

CBRE Investment Management is an independently operated affiliate of CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2021 revenue). CBRE has more than 105,000 employees (excluding Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE Investment Management harnesses CBRE’s data and market insights, investment sourcing and other resources for the benefit of its clients. For more information, please visit www.cbreim.com.

*Assets under management (AUM) refers to the fair market value of real assets-related investments with respect to which CBRE Investment Management provides, on a global basis, oversight, investment management services and other advice and which generally consist of investments in real assets; equity in funds and joint ventures; securities portfolios; operating companies and real assets-related loans. This AUM is intended principally to reflect the extent of CBRE Investment Management’s presence in the global real assets market, and its calculation of AUM may differ from the calculations of other asset managers and from its calculation of regulatory assets under management for purposes of certain regulatory filings.

Media contacts:
Mission Control Communications for Forum Mobility
forummobility@missionc2.com

Pam Barnett for CBRE Investment Management
pam.barnett@cbreim.com

Cody Evans for Homecoming Capital
cody@homecomingcapital.com

Erika Reynoso for Amazon
ermreyno@amazon.com

Forum Mobility Raises $7.5 Million Seed Funding to Fuel Expansion

SAN FRANCISCO – December 1, 2021 – Forum Mobility, a zero-emission fleet and infrastructure provider, announced today it has raised $7.5 million in seed funding to build its operations, broaden its team, and further product development. The round was co-led by Obvious Ventures and Homecoming Capital, with additional funding provided by Edison International (NYSE: EIX) and Overture VC. Funds will initially target the electrification of the movement of goods in and around the ports of California.

“Our vision is to work with category-creating entrepreneurs that are decarbonizing the economy and electrifying all modes of transportation,” remarked Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures. “We invested in Forum Mobility because they share the same ambition.”

Pat Arnold of Homecoming Capital commented, “After nearly a year of searching for a team that can usher in a new era of clean heavy-duty trucking, we are confident that we found that in Forum Mobility. Forum’s platform will help governments meet their transportation emissions goals while providing a solution that is both more economical for fleet operators and healthier for our communities.”

“There is so much to be excited about with Forum Mobility,” said Shomik Dutta, Managing Partner at Overture VC. “This team will help decarbonize port-related heavy-duty trucking, provide low-cost green transition financing to small business owners, and help us innovate on a just transition for communities and business owners affected by climate.”

Forum Mobility’s leaders have a proven track record over decades executing complex energy infrastructure projects. The combined team has managed $20B in renewables transactions, with expertise in infrastructure development, engineering, financing, and operations.

Matt LeDucq, CEO of Forum Mobility stated, “Forum Mobility is implementing one of the most ambitious heavy-duty fleet electrification programs in the United States, offering excellent customer experience at a lower cost per mile than combustion engines. Our comprehensive, vertically integrated solution delivers a seamless transition for small and large fleet operators, ensuring rapid conversion to a zero-emission future.”

In the United States, trucks represent 4% of all vehicles, but generate 25% of CO2, so decarbonization of the mobility space has clear CO2 reduction benefits while significantly reducing air pollution that disproportionately effects the communities in and around the ports. Additionally, California has put forth aggressive mandates and incentives to decarbonize heavy duty trucking over the next several years. By removing barriers and simplifying the transition to an all-electric fleet, Forum Mobility will enable corporations transporting goods to reach their zero-carbon goals quicker, thereby reducing the impacts of climate change. With an initial focus on the movement of goods in and around California ports, Forum Mobility’s solution will help California deliver on one of the state’s top priorities for emissions reduction and environmental justice.

“The transition to zero emissions trucks is a work-in-progress,” said Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Deputy Executive Director at the Port of Long Beach. “Forum Mobility has developed a model that could get us there faster, while delivering an ESG Triple Bottom Line.”

“Edison International supports carefully chosen startups because we want to enable the best ideas and technologies to help California and the United States meet their carbon neutrality goals,” said Sergej Mahnovski, Edison International Managing Director of Strategy, Technology, and Innovation. “Since 2016, the transportation sector has replaced the electric power sector as the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. To mitigate climate change and improve air quality, we must continue to accelerate transportation electrification and fleet conversion as one of the most effective ways to remove greenhouse gas emitting vehicles from the road.”

About Forum Mobility
Forum Mobility is dedicated to building a clean energy ecosystem that delivers value to companies transporting goods, while promoting a sustainable zero-carbon future. Forum Mobility’s transformative heavy-duty fleet electrification solution includes the infrastructure, trucks and technology needed to service the movement of goods in and around ports as well as meet fast-approaching emissions mandates. For more information, please visit www.forummobility.com.

About Obvious Ventures
Obvious is a venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs reimagining every sector of the economy through a world positive lens. Since launching in 2014, Obvious has backed over 80 purpose-led companies using technology to create a smarter, healthier, more sustainable world. Obvious, one of the first firms in the world to become B Corp Certified, is a multi-stage investor with over $600M AUM. For more head to www.obvious.com.

About Homecoming Capital
Homecoming Capital is a climate-focused firm that invests in businesses that decarbonize the economy as they grow. Homecoming’s investments span North America and Europe and support businesses driving decarbonization of the energy, transportation, industrial, and agricultural sectors. For more information, please visit www.homecomingcapital.com.

About Overture VC
Overture is a new climate-focused venture fund that invests in visionary founders who are building the world’s sustainable economy. Overture specializes in helping climate startups navigate government and regulatory complexity. For more, please visit www.overture.eco.

About Edison International
Edison International (NYSE: EIX) is one of the nation’s largest electric utility holding companies, providing clean and reliable energy and energy services through its independent companies. Headquartered in Rosemead, California, Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison Company, a utility that delivers electricity to 15 million people across Southern, Central and Coastal California. Edison International is also the parent company of Edison Energy, a global energy advisory company delivering comprehensive, data-driven energy solutions to commercial and industrial users to meet their cost, sustainability and risk goals.

Media Contact:
Ellen Backus
For Forum Mobility PR
ellen@cleanterrateam.com
612.616.2991

In the News

Work Starts on Long Beach Charging Depot

On May 15, Oakland-based Forum Mobility broke ground on a depot that will contain 44 charging stalls, each capable of fully charging an electric truck in about 90 minutes, depending on the truck’s battery size.

Los Angeles Business Journal

May 27, 2024

Forum Mobility Provides Charging for Innovative New Electric Truck Program Offered by Ocean Network Express (North America) Inc. and LX Pantos

Forum Mobility, a leading heavy duty truck charging infrastructure provider, announced that it is the charging solutions partner for the innovative new ONE Electric Truck Program.

PR Newswire

March 13, 2024

California’s Electric-Truck Drive Draws Startups Building Charging Networks

An aggressive emissions-slashing mandate means thousands of charging sites are needed in the coming years

The Wall Street Journal

May 29, 2023

Truckers Are Caught on the Front Line of California’s EV Push

By 2024, trucks bought for use in the state’s ports and rail yards must be zero-emission. The struggle to electrify previews what must happen worldwide.

WIRED

May 17, 2023

California’s port truck-charging plan gets a jolt from big investors

California’s bustling seaports, dominated by massive container vessels and soaring cranes, may seem an unlikely setting for investors seeking to capitalize on the “green” revolution.

But thanks to the state’s plan to phase out by 2035 heavy-duty diesel trucks that haul containers to ships and warehouses, the ports have become ground zero for forward-looking investors who are lining up to build charging stations for the electric semis that will eventually serve those trade gateways.

Reuters

April 17, 2023

California is racing to electrify trucks. Can the industry keep up?

As frontline communities demand relief from diesel pollution, trucking advocates warn the state is moving too fast.

Grist

February 23, 2023

Ports need electric trucks. Forum Mobility has $400M to make it happen.

The electric-trucking-as-a-service startup will build charging depots and make electric trucks available to freight haulers serving California’s busiest ports.

Canary Media

January 17, 2023

Heavy-Duty Electric Truck ‘Subscriptions’ Could Clean Up Polluting Ports

Diesel drayage freight trucks are a major source of toxic emissions. Forum Mobility replaces them with electric models for a monthly fee.

Bloomberg

January 17, 2023

Southern California Ports to Expand Electrification Efforts

California’s move toward its 2035 goal of requiring all drayage trucks to be zero-emission is ramping up. Port and trucking experts say to achieve that, the hard work needs to be done now and for at least the next 10 years.

One of the first steps may have been taken Dec. 7, when Forum Mobility, a startup that provides charging depots and heavy-duty electric trucks for zero-emission drayage companies, announced at the Port of Long Beach it is working with drayage company Hight Logistics. Hight received five electric trucks, fast-charging systems and the electricity those vehicles will need to begin operations at the nation’s third-busiest port.

Transport Topics

December 14, 2022

The Clean, Quiet Trucking Revolution

Forum Mobility’s mission to electrify a huge industry you’ve never heard of.

Emily Brady-Obvious Ideas

December 5, 2022

Electrifying Drayage: An Electric Conversation | FEAT: Matt LeDucq, CEO of Forum Mobility

The transition of the transportation industry to an electric future is underway. However, there are some big questions for the upcoming period of fuel tech evolution. What is the speed of this transition? Can the batteries and charging network available today accommodate that kind of capacity? Join iLevel’s Chris Joslyn and the CEO of Forum Mobility Matt LeDucq in episode 73 as they connect and discuss the future electrification of the trucking and transportation industry and what Forum Mobility is poised to do to carry that future forward.

Listen to the Podcast

Startup Series: Forum Mobility

Matt and Cody have a great conversation about the pending California regulations at play, as well as the history of clean air regulation around trucking. They also talk about the air quality issues surrounding most ports and the environmental justice issues that these regulations are aiming to address. They cover how the vast majority of drayage truck owners are independent operators and the financial burden that these regulations place on them. And, of course, they talk about Forum Mobility’s product offering and company history, in addition to Matt’s deep background in renewable energy. There are loads to learn about electrifying the trucking industry in this episode.

Listen to the Podcast

Propelling the World of Zero-Emission Drayage in California by Providing Fleets-as-a-Service (FaaS)

“There is a big need for large third-party depots, and drayage was the most worthy cause to attack in California,” according to Matt LeDucq, Forum Mobility CEO. There are currently over 33,000 drayage trucks registered in California but less than 50 are battery electric. “Port cities deserve cleaner air,” said Matt. The goal of offering FaaS is to assist drayage operators in compliance with government mandates, such as the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, improve the health of port communities, and create a solution that is economical for fleets.

FreightWaves Podcast: Net-Zero Carbon — Drayage is Electrifying

On Friday’s episode of Net-Zero Carbon, host Tyler Cole was joined by Matt LeDucq, the CEO of Forum Mobility, to discuss the market opportunities and challenges in drayage fleet electrification.

Listen to the Podcast

Forum Mobility is one of just 17 companies selected by Elemental Excelerator to join Cohort 11. The companies are all enabling system-wide decarbonization, helping communities become more climate resilient and redesigning our built environment.

“Our communities and climate need zero-emission solutions for heavy duty goods movement — and Forum’s goal is to make it simple, reliable and cost-effective for fleets and drivers. It’s a complex challenge, and as much as we benefit from Elemental’s deep experience, we’re also enjoying working in concert with the broader Elemental ecosystem of amazing entrepreneurs,” Forum Mobility CEO Matt LeDucq said.

FreightWaves Podcast: Net-Zero Carbon — Policy Advocacy in Fleet Electrification

On Friday’s episode of Net-Zero Carbon, host Tyler Cole was joined by Adam Browning, board member and policy consultant at Forum Mobility, to talk about Forum’s building of an EV trucking-as-a-service (TaaS) platform for drayage fleets.

Listen to the Podcast

SunCast Episode 468: Solar Veteran Says Mobility is “Next Big Thing”, Matt LeDucq, CEO Forum Mobility

Listen to the Podcast

CEO Matt LeDucq responds to questions about electrifying truck fleets at ports for CleanTechnica.

San Francisco-based Forum Mobility provides heavy-duty fleet electrification programs to decarbonize fossil-fuel truck fleets. The startup recently secured $7.5 million in seed funding, which was co-led by Obvious Ventures and Homecoming Capital.

The news about electric vehicles typically focuses on EVs for consumers such as the Tesla models, the Ford Mach-E, Jaguar I-Pace, Chevy Bolt, Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron, and so on. This news naturally generates more interest because most of us are not driving heavy-duty cargo trucks at ports, tractor trailers, or buses, but replacing very large diesel trucks with zero emissions vehicles is an essential piece of the sustainable transportation puzzle.

Clean Technica

December 29, 2021

Heavy-duty electric infrastructure provider gets $7.5M in funding

Forum Mobility, a zero-emission fleet and infrastructure provider, announced today it has raised $7.5 million in seed funding to build its operations, broaden its team, and further product development.

Commercial Carrier Journal

December 9, 2021

BP buys Amply to expand EV charging in the U.S.

Impact Alpha

December 9, 2021

Forum Mobility inks $7.5m seed

Forum Mobility, a zero-emission fleet and infrastructure provder, has raised $7.5 million in seed funding.

Venture Capital Journal

December 7, 2021

Venture Deals

Forum Mobility, a SF, Calif.-based fleet and infrastructure provider, raised $7.5 million in seed funding co-led by Obvious Ventures and Homecoming Capital and was joined by investors including Edison International and Overture VC.

Fortune

December 2, 2021

Venture Capital Deals

Forum Mobility, a SF-based zero-emission fleet and infrastructure provider, raised $7.5 million in seed funding co-led by Obvious Ventures and Homecoming Capital.

Axios

December 2, 2021

Silicon Valley Business Journal Mid-Week Start-Up and Investor News

Forum Mobility Inc., San Francisco, $7.5 million: Obvious Ventures and Homecoming Capital co-led the seed round for this company that’s developing a service to help operators of heavy-duty logistical trucks transition to electricpowered vehicles. Edison International and Overture VC also participated.

Silicon Valley Business Journal

December 1, 2021

Blogs

Your first is always special.

On December 7, Forum Mobility celebrated with a ribbon-cutting for our first customer, a deal to provide five class 8 battery electric trucks and all the charging they can use, at Hight Logistics in Long Beach.

Celebrating with us were State Senator Lena Gonzalez, Long Beach Mayor-elect Rex Richardson, California Energy Commissioner Patty Monahan, California Air Resources Board Member Gideon Kracov, Long Beach Harbor Commission President Sharon L. Weissman, Hight Logistics CEO Rudy Diaz, and of course Forum Mobility CEO Matt LeDucq.

It took a huge amount of work to get here and we’d like to thank a lot of people, but especially the good folks at Hight Logistics, for making this seminal project happen. Hight has been providing drayage services to the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports for a long time, and their vision to look around the corner and embrace the zero emission future is inspiring.

Hight is a family run business that leads with their values. We are excited to be able to provide them with 3 BYD, 1 Volvo Trucks North America and 1 Kenworth Truck Co. all-electric Class-8 trucks, on-site fast-chargers and all the electricity they need for zero-emission drayage.

And to BCOs, now we can say: if you want to reduce your scope three emissions and move your goods out of the port without diesel, you now have an option with Hight Logistics, Inc.

Forum is building a network of charging depots around the Oakland and Los Angeles/Long Beach ports, and along common trucking routes to warehouse destinations, offering a one-stop solution that makes it easy for small independent operators and large fleets alike. This is an important milestone on a long journey to a zero-emission goods movement future. We are excited for the work ahead.

How decarbonizing your drayage fleet improves public health, fights climate change and accelerates your organization’s sustainability goals

by Kim Oster, Chief Strategy Officer

Growing health crisis for port communities

California port cities have some of the worst air quality in the United States. Why?

Heavy-duty diesel trucks that transport goods from ship to distribution centers, typically across short distances (known as ‘drayage’) have low-fuel efficiencies and create a disproportionate amount of carbon dioxide and pollution. This is particularly evident around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach – the busiest ports nationwide.

Emissions in these areas have increased in recent months due to substantially more cargo imports that have heightened congestion. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) reports that, as of October 2021, these issues have resulted in emissions spiking to an unprecedented level.

Sadly, underserved and vulnerable low- to medium- income (LMI) port communities are the most impacted by pollution and health issues linked to poor air quality. These communities bear a disproportionate health burden from freight movement. For instance, it is estimated that in California, African-American, Latino, and Asian Californians experience respectively 43%, 39%, and 21% higher level of PM2.5 pollution relative to white Californians (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2019). And, California’s transportation sector accounts for about 50% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, nearly 80% of nitrogen oxide pollution and 90% of diesel particulate matter pollution.

Mandated fleet electrification
Zero emission freight trucks are critical to both reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and improving public health. To address this issue, state policy has centered around reducing air pollution that results in childhood asthma, lung cancer, and even premature death in surrounding communities.

CARB has developed a number of mandates to reach the goal of zero-emission drayage trucks by 2035.
One quickly approaching mandate, which takes effect on January 1, 2023, requires that drayage trucks have a 2010 model year engine or newer to continue entering California ports.
The rest of the nation is starting to follow with similar regulations – in fact, 15 States and D.C. are seeking to achieve 30% zero emission vehicle sales for new medium-and heavy-duty vehicles by 2030.

Benefits of ZEV transport

Converting to an all-electric fleet is necessary to meet mandates, which in turn will enable a sustainable, resilient, clean energy future. Reducing the growing threat of climate change and improving public health are absolutely tantamount and the most important benefits to widespread heavy-duty fleet electrification.

Additionally, reducing supply chain emissions enables large corporations to achieve Scope 3 Emissions targets and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) goals. Decarbonizing the movement of goods is also an opportunity to gain economic advantage. The transition to ZEVs will result in lower operating and maintenance costs for a better total cost of ownership than diesel, natural gas or fuel cells. In fact, the decreasing cost of batteries could soon make electric freight trucks 50% cheaper to own than diesel, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.

From an overall economic growth and prosperity perspective, the clean energy sector has always been a reliable job creation engine. That holds true for fleet electrification as well. According to the EPA, in 2020, nearly 132,000 individuals were employed in EV related jobs across the U.S., with employment growing more than six percent, the biggest increase of any clean energy category.

Closing the gap
While more companies are investing in electric fleets, the necessary and dedicated charging infrastructure does not exist where needed to serve the drayage industry. There is an acute demand for building EV charging infrastructure to transition from combustion to electric engines. Forum Mobility is well-positioned to fulfill this critical gap in the heavy-duty transportation market.

We’ve developed an innovative, technology-agnostic, electric vehicle charging depot exclusively for drayage that removes the burden of land acquisition, managing interconnection with the electrical grid, optimizing electricity rates and navigating development, financing, incentives, rebates and tax credits. As we build out our network of depots along drayage corridors, corporate partners will have access to all charging stations along their routes. In addition, our revolutionary technology collects critical data to help organizations track their scope 3 emission reductions, while also improving the efficiency of goods movement.

Our team
Our team’s extensive background spans decades of executing complex energy infrastructure projects. The combined group has managed $20 billion in renewables transactions, with deep expertise in infrastructure development, engineering, financing and operations.

We understand large-scale projects and are dedicated to building a clean energy ecosystem that delivers value to companies transporting goods, while promoting a sustainable zero-carbon future.

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