The Biden administration granted California the authority to mandate that half of all new heavy-duty vehicles sold in the state are electric by 2035. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved two Clean Air Act waivers, increasing ZEV manufacturing standards from 2024-2035. Six states (MA, NJ, NY, OR, VT, WA) have followed California’s lead in making plans to end tailpipe emissions. 

Calstart praised EPA’s action and blamed internal combustion engines for nearly a third of California’s NOx emissions. An American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) report found that full electrification of the U.S. vehicle fleet would require a large percentage of the country’s present electricity generation.

ATRI’s analysis found that replacing the US vehicle fleet with BEVs would require 6.3-34.9 years of global production of cobalt, graphite, lithium, and nickel (equivalent to 8.4-64.4% of international reserves). Trucking groups, including the ATA and OOIDA, pushed back, warning of supply chain crises and higher operating costs. 

The Clean Freight Coalition (launched Mar 23) educates policymakers on the trucking industry’s progress in reducing emissions and protecting the environment and advocates for sound policies transitioning to a zero-emission future. OOIDA’s Todd Spencer stated that electric CMVs are not a realistic option for most trucking businesses due to the price tag and lack of charging infrastructure.

Source: https://www.fleetowner.com/emissions-efficiency/article/21263152/biden-epa-grants-californias-heavyduty-vehicle-waiver-to-mandate-electric-trucks#:~:text=Biden%20administration%20OKs%20California%20waivers%20to%20mandate%20electric%20trucks,-April%203%2C%202023&text=The%20EPA%20approved%20two%20Clean,sold%20are%20electric%20by%202035.