With EPA Waiver, California to Require Over Half of Heavy Trucks to be Zero-Emissions by 2035
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today granted California the authority to require half of all new heavy vehicles sold in the state to be electric by 2035. The new California policy aims to put 300,000 zero-emission trucks on the road by 2035 and joins the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II standards issued last year in making the state a leader in reducing transportation emissions. East Peterson-Trujillo, clean vehicles campaigner at Public Citizen, issued the following statement:
“Despite persistent lobbying from the trucking industry to delay the waiver process, California will finally be able to move forward with clean air standards aimed at reducing emissions from deadly diesel trucks.
“These critical steps will reduce pollution from heavy duty vehicles and protect public health. At least 55% of new truck sales and 40% of semi-tractor sales will be zero-emission by 2035, and 40% of semi-tractor sales. Other states can now adopt and enforce these standards to protect vulnerable populations and address the climate crisis. Clean air is a right, and this rule is a vital step to remedy the effects of environmental racism and provide relief to frontline communities in freight corridors.
“Vehicle manufacturers should treat these standards as a minimum commitment to pollution reduction. All heavy-duty manufacturers should be solely producing zero-emission trucks by 2040.
“The Biden administration must now deliver swift approval of California’s rules to reduce NOx emissions from heavy duty vehicles.”
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