Latest news with #Calstart
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Senate cancels California's clean-truck waivers
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to repeal a waiver granted to California by the Biden administration that the trucking industry considered costly electric vehicle mandates by requiring much of the industry to achieve zero-carbon emissions by 2035. The Senate also voted to repeal a waiver that tightens nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission standards for heavy-duty trucks. The nullifications of California's Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) and Low NOx Omnibus rules, accomplished through two Congressional Review Act resolutions, have already been adopted by the House of Representatives. They head to the White House where they are expected to be signed by President Donald Trump. 'The trucking industry is no longer shackled by these unattainable regulatory standards set by unelected officials in California,' Jim Mullen, executive director of the Clean Freight Coalition, which is supported by major trucking fleets, said in an email to FreightWaves. 'To be clear: the trucking industry will continue to pursue an 'all of the above' strategy to reduce commercial vehicle emissions, while at the same time protecting the supply chain and the economy.' The American Trucking Associations called the Senate's repeal of the waivers a 'monumental victory' for the trucking industry. 'We don't need government mandates to tell us how to reduce our environmental impact — we've been doing it for forty years with a record to show, all while moving an ever-increasing percentage of the goods that Americans expect and depend on every day,' said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear in a statement on Thursday. In a letter sent to Congress in April, Spear argued that California's ACT regulation, if allowed to move forward, would have required truck manufacturers to increase zero-emission vehicle sales to 40% of the Class 7-8 fleet by the 2035 model year and would have 'put enormous inflationary pressure on the economy.' It has already been adopted by other states, he noted, 'causing equipment costs to skyrocket for trucking companies, combined with a severe shortage of new and available clean-diesel equipment.' Spear also noted that the resolutions passed by Congress 'will not only restore EPA's role as the primary authority empowered to establish achievable, nationwide emissions standards, but will also block California from issuing similar regulations in the future.' Calstart, a nonprofit organization that works with the transportation industry to cut air pollution, called the votes a 'massive handout' to the trucking lobby. 'This move concedes the industries of the future to global competitors, will increase air pollution, accelerate global warming and result in significant job loss,' said Calstart President John Boesel in a press statement. 'It is a brazen, yet futile, attempt to bring the clean transportation industry to a sudden halt. Calstart will continue to partner with the states working to fill this gaping void left by today's federal action.' Clash on legal status of California transportation waivers highlighted at TCA EPA announces rollback of Biden-Harris emissions rules Speculation abounds on California trucking regulation with no ACF Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post Senate cancels California's clean-truck waivers appeared first on FreightWaves.
Boston Globe
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Boston Globe
No smog, no noise at an all-electric truck showcase in South Natick
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up At Lookout Farm, the Bollinger was one of 10 electric trucks on display as state officials seek to encourage fleet owners to convert from diesel in order to reduce emissions that cause climate change and air pollution. The state had planned to begin requiring minimum sales of electric trucks this year, but Advertisement A man walks past an e-truck for sale at a zero-emission vehicle showcase at Lookout Farm in Natick on May 20. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Advertisement Jennifer Kritzler, deputy director for Calstart's Northeast Regional Office, said the showcase was designed to demonstrate the variety of electric models suitable for many different jobs. About 100 people, including both commercial and municipal truck users, signed up to attend the showcase. 'There's no obligation to buy a vehicle,' Kritzler said. 'We really want to just get the information out there that electric vehicles are available for purchase and that they can do the duty cycles that you need.' Alongside the Bollinger and a few other medium-sized cargo trucks, the showcase also included a mustard yellow Rivian pickup truck and a couple of futuristic electric vans from 'We're a local company, so we like to just basically keep the vibe local,' Cory Byrnes, Indigo's director of operations, said. 'On a nice pristine farm like this, why would you want a diesel engine running around when you could have a quiet electric vehicle.' Potential buyers attending the showcase had many questions about range, cost, and carrying capacity. Gustavo Teza uses his phone to document an Indigo Tech EV delivery van at a zero-emission vehicle showcase at Lookout Farm in Natick on May 20. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Tom Morahan, general manager at Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant, the town's electric utility, examined several of the larger models on display. So far, the limited driving range and lack of charging stations plus higher prices of electric models have deterred a purchase, he said. 'The infrastructure is not there for charging at this point,' Morahan said. 'We're waiting for the market, just waiting to see what's going to happen.' Advertisement Calstart's Kritzler mingled with the attendees, answering questions. Under a state-funded program, the nonprofit will help up to 200 truck fleet owners plan for transitioning to electric by identifying specific models, costs, and charging needs. 'A fleet that's well educated is more likely to make a transition to a zero emission vehicle,' Kritzler said. Aaron Pressman can be reached at
