The Biden administration has cleared the way for California to phase out diesel powered trucks.
The agency sets standards for tailpipe emissions, but states can petition waivers for their own rules. The Golden State will now require truck manufacturers to sell an increased number of zero-emissions trucks over the next several decades. Attorneys general in 15 other states are asking for the same waiver.
“Under the Clean Air Act, California has longstanding authority to address pollution from cars and trucks. Today’s announcement allows the state to take additional steps in reducing their transportation emissions through these new regulatory actions,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said.
Companies owning 50 or more trucks will have to report that information to the state about how they use those trucks for shipping goods. Depending on the type of truck, zero emissions models will have to make up 40 to 75 percent of sales by 2035.
