WAVE and Ports America install wireless charging at Port of Los Angeles

WAVE Charging and Ports America have deployed a high-power wireless charging system at the Port of Los Angeles to support 10 RIDE electric yard tractors. The setup is designed to cut charging downtime and help the port move faster toward zero-emission cargo operations.

Why it matters: - The deployment is a practical test of whether wireless charging can fit into nonstop port operations without slowing cargo movement. - The system supports the Port of Los Angeles’ push to reduce emissions from freight handling. - The project could make electric yard tractors easier to run at scale by reducing dependence on plug-in infrastructure.

What happened: - WAVE Charging announced a wireless charging installation at the Port of Los Angeles in partnership with Ports America. - The system supports 10 RIDE battery-electric yard tractors. - The project includes 12 high-power wireless charging pads. - The announcement was made July 15, 2026.

The details: - Ten of the pads are 125 kW wireless charging pads used during normal work activities. - Two additional 125 kW opportunity charging pads are located near the driver break area. - The system is designed to let operators charge during natural dwell periods. - WAVE’s inductive charging technology removes the need for plug-in charging, cables, connectors or operator intervention. - The 125-kW system is built for heavy-duty commercial vehicle use in demanding port environments. - The 10 RIDE electric yard tractors will use the system throughout daily operations. - Ports America operates one of the largest port and terminal networks in the United States. - WAVE systems are deployed across transit, port, warehouse and logistics applications.

Between the lines: - The installation shows how electrification efforts in freight can focus on uptime as much as on emissions. - By charging during work cycles and breaks, Ports America can preserve terminal productivity while shifting to electric equipment. - The port setting is a tough proving ground for wireless charging because vehicles, schedules and energy needs are all tightly linked. - Ben Auslander, WAVE Charging vice president of sales and marketing, said the deployment shows wireless charging can remove operational barriers to fleet electrification. - Willy Won, Ports America director of engineering, said the project reflects the future of commercial fleet charging.

What's next: - The tractors will continue daily operations using WAVE’s charging system. - WAVE and Ports America will use the deployment as part of broader efforts to advance cleaner port operations. - The result may influence whether other ports and freight operators adopt wireless charging for medium- and heavy-duty fleets.

The bottom line: - The Port of Los Angeles deployment is a concrete step toward making zero-emission cargo handling more operationally practical.**