Biden Will Let California Lead on Electric Trucks, Despite Industry Protest
by Anna Phillips (Washington Post) The EPA plans to grant California a waiver that will allow the state to phase out diesel-powered trucks, helping communities burdened by truck pollution — The Biden administration will approve new California rules to cut tailpipe pollution and phase out sales of diesel-burning trucks, according to three people briefed on the plans, a move that could jump-start the nation’s transition to electric-powered trucks and help communities harmed by diesel pollution.
The new policies could have a profound effect on the air Californians breathe. Heavy-duty trucks account for nearly a third of the state’s smog-forming nitrogen oxide and more than a quarter of its fine particle pollution from diesel fuel. Both of these harmful pollutants are linked to asthma, other respiratory illnesses and premature death. Environmental advocates on behalf of Black and Latino Californians, who are more likely to live near ports, huge warehouse complexes and major highways, have long pleaded with the state’s regulators to strengthen pollution limits on the trucks whose fumes waft through their neighborhoods. Climate activists have echoed these demands.
The rules could also have national significance. Six other states, which together with California represent about 20 percent of the nation’s heavy-duty vehicle sales, have already committed to follow California’s tougher standards. But because of the way the Clean Air Act works, California and those other states cannot put their plans into action until the EPA grants the state a waiver.
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California’s new policies include stricter pollution limits for heavy-duty vehicles — such as delivery vans, garbage trucks and 18-wheelers — that require them to cut emissions of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. These rules would apply to vehicles beginning with the 2024 model year, three years ahead of the administration’s latest regulations, which start with the model year 2027.
Another rule sets new sales requirements for truck makers. Beginning next year, manufacturers will have to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission trucks, buses and vans annually, eventually reaching a target of selling all-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell trucks by 2045. State officials estimate the rule would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 307 million metric tons by 2050.
This is a slower transition than the state has set for passenger cars and trucks, which have to switch to sales of nonpolluting models by 2035, in recognition of how much further behind the electric truck industry is.
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New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington and Vermont have agreed to adopt the sales mandate for zero-emission trucks. All except New Jersey have also committed to following California’s more stringent tailpipe pollution standards.
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The EPA’s expected approval of California’s waivers does not mean the state has won its fight against polluting trucks. Some of the nation’s largest truck manufacturers and their lobbying groups are expected to sue to stop the policies from taking effect. They have previously challenged the state’s waiver requests, arguing they did not give manufacturers enough lead time.
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Nor is it clear when the administration will issue its formal approval.
People familiar with the EPA’s plans said the agency intended to make the announcement earlier this month, but delayed it because of last-minute complications. Officials with the California Air Resources Board said they had asked the EPA for more time while their staff reviewed a potential issue with the tailpipe pollution rule. Neither EPA nor CARB staff would say when they expected the waivers would be approved. READ MORE
