California Secures Large Truck Maker Agreement to Phase Out Diesel Engines
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The state of California announced yesterday that it struck a deal with Ford and the members of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association to finalize compliance with the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Trucks and Omnibus rules.
East Peterson-Trujillo, clean vehicles campaigner with Public Citizen’s Climate Team, issued the following statement.
“With a history of opposition to clean air regulations, the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association’s agreement to comply with California’s plan to phase out polluting combustion and diesel engines by 2036 is a vital change. In return, manufacturers negotiated for longer lead times and more flexibility in advance of a 2036 phase-out, which may give truck makers the leeway to keep older, polluting vehicles on the road for longer.
“Given manufacturers’ newfound enthusiasm for 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2036 in California, they must also support the adoption of these clean air regulations in other states and federally to align heavy-duty vehicle emissions with Paris climate accord goals.
“Eliminating heavy-duty vehicle tailpipe pollution in California will significantly improve the lives of residents, as more than 90% of Californians breathe unhealthy levels of one or more air pollutants each year. Relief from heavy-duty vehicle pollution will provide the most benefit for low-income communities and communities of color, which bear the burden of dirty air.”
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