Clean Deliveries: Transforming Seattle's Goods Transportation to 30% Zero Emissions by 2030

As online shopping and demand for delivery services continue to grow, Seattle aims to ensure that 30% of goods delivery within the city is conducted using zero-emissions vehicles. This goal addresses the environmental impacts of the delivery sector, including congestion and emissions, by encouraging the transition of private delivery fleets to electric vehicles. It supports cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a more sustainable urban freight system. 

Recent Progress

In 2022, City Light started the Fleet Electrification Program, which makes it easier for businesses to transition into using electric vehicles. This program has assessed more than 1,400 fleet vehicles and will save a potential 60,000 metric tons of GHG emissions in the future.  

In 2023, OSE launched the Heavy Duty Vehicle Electrification Incentive Pilot, which provides point-of-scale rebates to help drivers operating in the Duwamish Valley, many of whom are African immigrants and face high up-front transition costs and limited access to credit, trade in their diesel truck for new electric vehicles (EVs). 

SDOT is developing a new commercial e-cargo bike program that will launch in 2024. The program will include guidelines and tools for e-cargo bike standards, a new permitting system, and dynamic use of curb space for cargo bike parking and loading. SDOT is also exploring ways to cut emissions in curb delivery loading zones.