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The U.S. Congress has stepped in to overturn California’s electric vehicle (EV) mandates for trucks, a decision celebrated by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) as a major win for the trucking industry and American consumers. These mandates, deemed impractical and costly, had sparked concerns about their impact on the economy and the industry’s ability to operate efficiently. By passing resolutions to nullify the rules, Congress has reaffirmed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) role in setting consistent, nationwide emissions standards, halting California’s attempt to dictate vehicle policies across the country.
Key Highlights:
- Congress voted to cancel California’s EV truck mandates.
- The ATA called it a “monumental victory” for the industry.
- Mandates were viewed as costly and unrealistic.
- Modern trucks already cut emissions significantly.
- The EPA’s authority is restored for emissions rules.
The Senate approved two key resolutions to reverse California’s regulations. The first, led by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), cancels an EPA waiver that allowed California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation, which forced truck manufacturers to sell more zero-emission vehicles from 2024 to 2035. The second, spearheaded by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), scraps a waiver for the Low NOx Omnibus rule, setting tough emissions limits on new trucks. Both policies were adopted by several states but faced pushback for being expensive and hard to enforce, with some states already delaying or reducing their plans.
The trucking industry has made impressive environmental strides without mandates. Today’s trucks emit 99% less nitrogen oxide and particulate matter than older models and reduce carbon emissions by over 40% compared to 2010 trucks. According to the ATA, 60 modern trucks match the emissions of one from 1988. ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said, “Trucking is an industry of innovators. We’ve reduced our environmental impact for forty years without government overreach.”
These resolutions not only block California’s rules but also prevent similar mandates moving forward, ensuring a practical, unified approach to emissions standards under the EPA’s leadership.
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