{"id":21941,"date":"2022-07-26T14:53:27","date_gmt":"2022-07-26T18:53:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=21941"},"modified":"2022-07-28T13:01:07","modified_gmt":"2022-07-28T17:01:07","slug":"now-is-the-time-for-california-to-go-bold-on-electric-trucks-and-buses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2022\/07\/26\/now-is-the-time-for-california-to-go-bold-on-electric-trucks-and-buses\/","title":{"rendered":"Now is the time for California to go bold on electric trucks and buses"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>There is no single fix to the climate, air quality, political and economic challenges facing California, but the state\u2019s early action to electrify its fleet of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is one example of smart policy that can move us in a positive direction. As California\u2019s legislative session concludes in August, lawmakers and the California Air Resources Board should take the next steps to implement the electric transportation transition with tools that are right at their fingertips.<\/p>\n

Nationally, the transportation sector is the largest source of climate emissions and a primary contributor to local air pollution and the negative health and economic impacts that go along with it. Medium- and heavy- duty vehicles \u2013 the trucks and buses that move our goods and people \u2013 make up a small portion of total wheels on the road, but they produce an outsized portion of all emissions. In California, MHD vehicles make up just 6% of vehicles on the road, but produce 72% of the state\u2019s health-harming nitrogen oxide emissions and 21% of all transportation climate emissions. Transitioning these vehicles to zero-emission models would make a big difference for air quality and the manufacturing economy<\/a>, a sector where California is becoming a leader.<\/p>\n

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California is broadly moving toward electrification, and giving truck fleets and ZEV manufacturers in the state more tools will support the economy, clean air and communities. The Advanced Clean Trucks rule, passed by CARB in 2020, set goals for electric MHDV adoption and has become a model for other states and regions. Last year, Senator Leyva\u2019s bill (SB 372) directed CARB and the state treasurer to develop a suite of financial incentives to help fleet owners begin the transition to ZEV models with high vote counts. In its final weeks, the legislature and CARB can build on these meaningful accomplishments.<\/p>\nNow is the time for California to go bold on electric trucks and buses <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n

Opportunities at the Capitol<\/strong><\/p>\n

Funding SB 372 with $60 million<\/a> would provide more direct assistance for small trucking fleets and inspire more private financing for larger fleets while focusing largely on disadvantaged areas. New financing mechanisms would enable private finance to participate in California\u2019s ZEV truck market, multiplying the economic investment of every public dollar and extending the state\u2019s investments to more fleets.<\/p>\n

The SB 372 ask is part of a larger $10 billion Invest in Clean Air transportation package request<\/a>, that targets light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The light-duty programs are equity-focused programs and designed to increase access to zero-emission vehicles and mobility in disadvantaged and low-income communities, while the zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle programs are designed to displace toxic diesel emissions in communities near freeways, ports, railyards, warehouses and other facilities.<\/p>\n

There are opportunities to support ZEV MHD trucks through non-controversial legislation too:<\/p>\n