California begins getting rid of diesel trucks

On March 31, California adopted a policy on stage-by-stage cuts of a wide range of diesel trucks in an effort to improve the state’s environmental footprint.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision allows California, where air pollution is among the highest in the country, to demand of truck manufacturers to sell more zero-emission trucks over the next few decades.

The transportation sector now accounts for almost 40% of California’s greenhouse gases.

The new standards are aimed at truck companies and those who own 50 or more vehicles. By 2035, “clean” trucks should account for 40% to 75% of sales. The rule applies to a wide range of trucks, including vans, semi-trailers and large passenger pickups.

“California has longstanding authority under the Clean Air Act to deal with pollution from cars and trucks. Today’s announcement allows the state to take additional steps to reduce transportation emissions through these new regulatory measures,” EPA Administrator Michael Reagan said in a statement.

The response from the trucking industry to the innovation was mixed.

“This is yet another example of how California is enacting burdensome regulations that are driving up the operating costs of truckers in the state. Whether it’s CARB or AB5 emissions requirements, it’s no wonder we’re seeing truckers and independent contractors looking elsewhere for opportunities,” said Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).

“Vehicle reliability and availability are top priorities for OOIDA members. We have yet to see evidence that electric CMVs are a viable option for most trucking businesses, given the price and lack of charging infrastructure. But the problem is that the technology they’re trying to implement doesn’t exist yet.”

American Trucking Association President and CEO Chris Spear said the Presidential Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to allow California to replace diesel trucks with electric trucks would hurt the industry nationwide.

Some in the trucking industry are concerned about how costly the transition will be for truckers and companies.