California regulators on Friday approved a rule that would end the sale of fossil fuel-powered medium- and heavy-duty trucks in the state by 2036.
The rule, which is contingent on federal approval for enforcement, would also require that fleet owners\u2019 trucks be electric or otherwise zero-emission by 2042.
The rule has stricter limits for when certain fleets need to transition, requiring big rigs, local delivery trucks and government fleets to go pollution-free by 2035. Garbage trucks and local buses would need to be zero-emission by 2039.
\u201cThe future happens here first, and California is once again showing the world what real climate action looks like,\u201d California Gov. Gavin Newsom\u2002(D) said in a written statement, adding that \u201cwe\u2019re one step closer to achieving healthier neighborhoods and cleaner air for all Californians.\u201d
While the rule was first put forward in California, it could also be adopted by other states, like California\u2019s other vehicle regulations have been.
Yasmine Agelidis, a senior associate attorney at Earthjustice, said the rule is \u201ca really exciting and huge rule\u201d for California alone, but she expects other states to be \u201ceager to hop on board.\u201d
However, the trucking industry pushed back on the rule, saying it is unrealistic.
\u201cToday, an unelected Board in California voted to force trucking companies to buy zero-emission trucks. Fleets are just beginning to understand what it takes to successfully operate these trucks, but what they have learned so far is they are significantly more expensive, charging and refueling infrastructure is nonexistent, and ZEVs are not necessarily a one-for-one replacement \u2014 meaning more trucks will be needed on California roads to move the same amount of freight,\u201d American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said in a written statement.
\u201cCalifornia is setting unrealistic targets and unachievable timelines that will undoubtedly lead to higher prices for the goods and services delivered to the state and fewer options for consumers,\u201d Spear added.
The Biden administration recently greenlighted a separate California rule that would require increasing percentages of trucks sold in the state to be electric between 2024 and 2035.<\/p>\n\n\n\n