Truck manufacturers and dealers are struggling with California’s changing rules on zero-emissions trucks, according to Paul Berger of The Wall Street Journal. Berger writes:
Heavy-duty truck manufacturers and dealers are caught in a swirl of shifting and conflicting rules over zero-emissions big rigs as the changing regulatory landscape undercuts the commercial prospects of the vehicles.
Trucking industry executives say the road to electric trucks has become particularly cloudy in California, which has led the nation in moves away from conventional fuels and served as a model for other states looking at tightening truck rules. California has rolled back some of its rules because of the new administration in Washington even as some of the state’s zero-emissions demands remain in place.
The changes have left truck manufacturers and dealers in a limbo as they contend with a requirement to sell zero-emissions electric trucks to fleets that have little regulatory incentive to buy the new rigs. […]
California regulators say they are “re-evaluating next steps,” but are still on track to phase out most diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks from the state’s ports by 2035 and from other trucking operations by 2045 using a range of other regulations and incentives.
Trucking industry officials broadly welcomed California’s move because of battery-electric trucks’ limited driving range compared with diesel and because of the scarcity of electric-charging infrastructure across the state.
But they said the decision also is complicating companies’ fleet plans because California still has in place a rule that forces manufacturers to sell a growing number of zero-emissions trucks each year. […]
Truck dealers say commercial pressures are being exacerbated by a California mandate to cut nitrogen-oxide emissions. That requires a standard for engines in 2024 vehicles and beyond that some manufacturers are struggling to attain.
“Something has to give, or a lot of dealers and customers will be suffering here,” said Kim Mesfin, president of Fresno-based Affinity Truck Center.
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