First heavy-duty electric freight truck crosses U.S.-Mexico border

On Thursday, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced its recently built charging infrastructure will help Bali Express make an historic crossing of a Class 8 heavy-duty freight truck across the U.S.-Mexico border.

SDG&E said the crossing of a Class 8 heavy-duty electric freight truck would be the semi-truck’s maiden voyage into Mexico and represent a significant milestone as the region moves toward a net-zero future. SDG&E built the charging infrastructure the trucks and others like it will use.

“Today marks a historic milestone in our journey toward reducing emissions and paving the way for a cleaner energy future,” Caroline Winn, Chief Executive Officer at SDG&E, said. “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.”

The SDG&E chargers were funded by a $200,000 grant through the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program.

“To accommodate the transition to zero-emission trucks on both sides of the border, it’s critically important we have the necessary infrastructure,” California Energy Commissioner Patty Monahan said. “The California Energy Commission is helping fund projects across the state to build a better and more equitable charging infrastructure system for both cars and trucks.”

Juan Baez, owner of San Diego-based Bali Express, said the crossing embodies the importance of working together in order to achieve sustainability goals.

“We are thrilled to be working with SDG&E in this historic endeavor,” Baez said. “By adding electric freight trucks, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also leading the way towards a more sustainable future for freight transportation on both sides of the border. We’re proud to be a leader in this transition and excited about the first ever crossing.”