Advanced Clean Trucks needs the brakes
A coalition of trucking associations worked throughout 2024 to encourage states to slow down on the Advanced Clean Trucks rule.
On Dec. 17, 2024, eight state trucking associations issued a letter to nine governors in states adopting Advanced Clean Trucks rules, expressing concerns with the new requirements. The associations represent motor carriers in Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington state, with the letter sent to the governors in those states.
Advanced Clean Trucks requires manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero-direct-emission trucks through model year 2035, with some states starting the new rules with model year 2025. Starting on Jan. 1 in those states, 7% of new truck sales must be zero-emission trucks.
Including California, 11 states have adopted Advanced Clean Trucks. As of press time, five states were set to start the rule in 2025: Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington. Vermont will begin the regulation in 2026, with the remaining states implementing it in 2027.
In the letter, the trucking associations are not asking the states to get rid of Advanced Clean Trucks. Rather, they are asking that the states delay the implementation of the new rules, as current truck technology renders requirements for manufacturers infeasible.
Consequently, the regulation will likely result in the loss of jobs and businesses while keeping older, dirtier trucks on the road longer.
One issue cited is the lack of a charging infrastructure. New York adopted Advanced Clean Trucks in 2021. Since then, the state has not built a single charging station for medium- or heavy-duty trucks.
“And while truck operators in Washington, California and Oregon appreciate the continued attempt to secure federal funding for an EV truck charging corridor along Interstate 5, the reality is that it will take years to complete,” the letter states. “We need this infrastructure now.” LL