First of its kind electric semi truck makes history by crossing US-Mexico border

SAN DIEGO (Border Report) -- A futuristic Class-8 electric freight truck became the first in history to cross the border from Mexico to the United States on Thursday at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

In the coming years, more and more of these trucks will be making the same trek, hauling freight throughout California and Mexico.

By 2045, California plans on phasing out the diesel-burning semis in favor of zero-emission electric rigs.

Diesel-burning trucks are said to be the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the state's air pollution.

In anticipation of demand for charging stations, San Diego Gas and Electric has already installed 3,600 chargers throughout the region.

The company says it will provide charging stations for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles at businesses, apartment complexes, the Port of San Diego, airports and even school district sites.

"Today marks a historic milestone in our journey toward reducing emissions and paving the way for a cleaner energy future,” said Caroline Winn, CEO of SDG&E. “This new electric corridor is a great example of how collaboration can create new and innovative ways to rethink how to propel our transportation systems towards electrification.”

Despite Monday's accomplishment, many in the trucking industry, on both sides of the border, say the rules will be hard to implement considering the price and availability of these trucks.

They also say a lack of charging stations, especially on the Mexico side of the border, where 90 percent of the cross-border trucking business is carried out by rigs registered to companies south of the border, will be a problem.

Last year, Baja California’s secretary of the economy and innovation, Kurt Honold, told the Voice of San Diego that trucking companies in Mexico "do not have comparable financial incentives, federal government programs, private enterprise resources and infrastructure" to switch out entire fleets of trucks.

He predicts the electric-power truck mandate will drive prices up for goods and materials throughout California and create "major supply chain delays."

Several companies such as Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, Toyota and Hyundai are already making these so-called First Class 8 Heavy Duty Electric trucks.

"The historic crossing of this electric freight truck symbolizes San Diego’s commitment to innovation, cross-border cooperation and our binational community," San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said. "We’re not just reducing emissions; we’re building a cleaner future for the people who live near our border and leading the way on international trade and environmental responsibility."