More than other states, California is frequently the first to introduce new regulations, especially those related to environmentalism. Regardless of whether or not other states agree or disagree with each new rule, the sheer scope of California’s economy makes the state a leader that affects all other interest holders in the industry.

In 2020, Governor Newsom signed an executive order that, by 2045, would require heavy-duty trucks to be zero emissions, essentially phasing out diesel trucks and replacing them with pure electric vehicles.

How Will California Reach Their Electric Trucking Goals?

The Newsom Administration wanted to restrict the sales of non-electric trucks. Specifically, Governor Newsom sought to require half of all heavy-duty trucks sold in California to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

Before that rule could be enforced, however, California needed a waiver from the Clean Air Act and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set their own regulations.

The EPA has now announced it will grant California the waivers necessary. California’s plan to phase out diesel-powered trucks will move forward. The Golden State’s regulations will also be adopted by Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington and Vermont.

Because of the size of California’s economy – the fourth largest in the world – the regulations will influence truck manufacturers when considering what trucks to put resources in to develop and market.

What Is the Reaction?

A statement from American Trucking Associations (ATA) Chief Executive Chris Spear said the following:

“[B]y granting California’s waiver for its so-called ‘advanced clean trucks’ rule, the EPA is handing over the keys as a national regulator. This isn’t the United States of California, and in order to mollify a never-satisfied fringe environmental lobby by allowing the state to proceed with these technologically infeasible rules on unworkable and unrealistic timelines, the EPA is sowing the ground for a future supply chain crisis.”

Other trucking industry figures are concerned about the lack of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, the cost imposed on trucking companies when it becomes time to get new trucks, and the impact on owner-operators with thin profit margins.

On the other hand, environmentalists see this as a large step towards reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the causes of a changing climate.