Port to move forward with electric truck hub in National City

The Port of San Diego is moving toward approval of a large-scale electric truck charging hub on Tidelands Avenue, a project backers say will significantly reduce diesel pollution in one of the state’s most air-impacted communities - but one that has drawn pointed concerns from the city’s mayor and fire chief.

The Tidelands Avenue Electric Truck Hub, developed by SkyChargers LLC, would charge up to 70 heavy-duty electric trucks simultaneously at a site just north of the intersection of 19th Street and Tidelands Avenue.

The facility would include on-site solar energy generation, battery energy storage, and a “trucking as a service” program designed to help independent owner-operators afford electric truck ownership. The Port’s Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the project July 14, at which point it would certify an environmental impact report and issue a coastal development permit to SkyChargers.

The project is a centerpiece of the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy, which targets the elimination of diesel truck emissions from port operations by 2030.

Port planners say a full environmental impact report - a higher level of review than legally required - found no significant impacts across any of the 21 resource areas examined, including air quality, noise, traffic and fire risk.

A majority of the National City City Council has indicated support for the project. Councilmembers Jose Rodriguez and Marcus Bush were absent from a June 30 special meeting at which the council voted 2-1 to authorize a letter of support to the Port - with Mayor Ron Morrison casting a dissenting vote.

The letter sent by the city acknowledges the project’s air quality benefits but also flags “concerns regarding impacts to City roadways due to projected increases in truck traffic, fire risks due to consolidation and storage of large lithium-ion batteries upwind from local businesses and residences, and the extent of community benefits being considered.”

The westside neighborhood sits downwind of the proposed facility, a point Morrison raised repeatedly. He argued that the project consolidates significant fire risk in a densely populated area and places an ongoing financial burden on National City residents, who would fund fire department readiness year-round.

Sergio Mora, the city’s fire chief, in response to direct questioning from Morrison at the same meeting, confirmed the project would require additional equipment, training and personnel.

“Hope is not a strategy,” Mora said. “We always plan for the worst and work backwards from that.”

Councilmember Ditas Yamane said she believed the Port had gone above and beyond in its safety review and expressed confidence that any problems that arise can be managed.

“I understand there may be isolated challenges that we may encounter,” Yamane said. "But with your diligence and the diligence of the operator, SkyCharger, we will mitigate those challenges.”

National City has the highest maximum cancer risk of any city around San Diego Bay, according to a 2019 health risk assessment - 20.6 per million residents - a statistic supporters say makes the case for the project urgent.

A community benefits agreement between the Port and SkyChargers is still under negotiation and is expected to come before the Port Board separately.

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This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 5:15 AM.