Matt LeDucq, CEO

While the passenger EV industry continues to grow with charging station builders extending coverage, a lesser known yet crucial area of development is the establishment of EV charging stations specifically for trucks.

A company at the forefront of this transition is Forum Mobility, aiming to facilitate the shift to zero-emission drayage by building a network of heavy-duty charging depots designed specifically for the needs of the industry. These strategically located depots will be in and near significant ports, and along frequently traveled freight corridors, like South Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and the Central Valley. This will enable fleets and independent owner-operators to adopt electric trucks while consistently meeting their operational requirements.

With California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) passing the Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) regulation and mandating 100 percent zero emissions for drayage operations by 2035, it is becoming imperative for battery and fuel-cell EVs to enter the drayage space. However, the lack of existing charging infrastructure poses a significant barrier to EV transition. For fleets and drivers, building their own charging requires a long-term lease or ownership of property and a location on a utility distribution feeder with sufficient spare capacity – and that’s a challenge.

“Our network of charging depots will address this issue by offering a reliable and accessible charging solution to those without the resources to develop their own infrastructure. Each depot—capable of accommodating 25 to 150 trucks—will be staffed and secured overnight, ensuring vehicles are charged and ready for operation the following day,” says Matt LeDucq, CEO of, Forum Mobility. Forum offers customers a choice of services: a new electric truck and charging together, or just charging, each for a monthly fee. Forum Mobility’s one-stop electric truck solution makes it easy for fleets and drivers to make the transition.

The company’s first customer, Hight Logistics Inc., is already demonstrating the value of this approach. In this case, Forum was able to install chargers at the Long Beach-based firm’s facility. Hight pays a monthly fee for the charging and five electric trucks, which are in daily service at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. This arrangement has enabled Hight to stay focused on its core business while meeting CARB’s compliance requirements. And the drivers really like the electric trucks, too.

Forum’s role in helping clients overcome process hurdles brings more benefits than just regulatory compliance. A rising tide of beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) is favoring carriers that offer a zero-emission solution. As more companies strive to meet sustainability goals and reduce their Scope 3 emissions, carriers that can provide a zero-emission solution are gaining a distinct competitive edge.

Forum’s first tranche of about eight depots spanning Northern and Southern California is set to be operational within the next 24 months. These facilities will accommodate around 600 trucks, marking a significant step forward in California’s zero-emissions goal.

These approaches are a testament to Forum’s mission to create a future where people and goods move freely and sustainably. “The drayage industry must make a rapid transition to zero-emission vehicles, and Forum Mobility’s one-stop charging, and electric truck solutions make it easy as possible for fleets and drivers,” concludes LeDucq.