If you’re familiar with the state of California, you probably know that the state is particularly empowered when it comes to regulating cars and SUVs. Specifically, the state is allowed to enact more stringent environmental rules that are more stringent than federal requirements. And now, it looks like diesel trucks will be the next victim of this fact. The EPA and the Biden administration have plans to phase out diesel trucks.
Are diesel trucks illegal in California?
California is running out of its ways. Plans for this were revealed last year, but it was not clear whether the country would actually be able to move forward. Now, the Biden administration appears to be on track to agree to these tougher regulations. And it could actually affect more than just Californians.
It accounts for nearly a third of the smog-forming nitrogen oxide in the state. They also took out more than a quarter of fine particle pollution. These types of things can cause health problems like asthma. State and climate activists seem to be hoping to put an end to it.
The new rules aim to reduce tailpipe pollution and to phase out sales of diesel trucks. The ultimate goal? Quickly begin the transition to electrically powered trucks to handle things like freight and hauling materials.
What trucks are affected?
I don’t want to paint with too wide a brush, but there are some important changes thanks to these new rules. Accordingly, stricter pollution limits will be placed on things like delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and semi-trucks. Starting with the 2024 model year, emissions must be reduced.
For truck makers, there will be new sales requirements that must be met in California. Over time, more and more trucks sold by these companies will have to be zero-emissions. This goal is for all electric or hydrogen fuel cell trucks by 2045.
The big question you might have is whether these new rules will affect regular trucks, such as the Ford F-250 or Ram 2500. And the answer is yes. But those rules have already been enacted. Brands that sell passenger cars and trucks are required to switch by 2035.
An electric future is coming
If the Biden administration grants the special waivers to California, it would likely have a ripple effect. Many countries follow the regulations set by CAs regarding the automobile industry. In addition, it will show whether the future of the industry can actually be electrified.
Perhaps the biggest problem facing electric vehicles in the United States is the public charging infrastructure. And if places like California hope to eliminate diesel trucks, they’ll need to be even more powerful than they are now.
Of course, this battle is not over yet. We expect to see a lot of lawsuits on both sides. When it comes to things like that, complexity is an understatement.
