15 US states to jointly work to advance electric trucks and buses
14 July 2020
15 US states and the District of Columbia announced a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the market for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV), including large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks. The goal is to ensure that 100% of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales be zero emission vehicles by 2050 with an interim target of 30% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.
The MOU follows the recent adoption of the California Advanced Clean Truck Regulation, which requires that by 2045, every new truck sold in California be zero-emission. The California rule is estimated to put 300,000 zero-emission trucks on the road by 2035.
The states that signed the MOU include California, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
The MOU states that “electrification of the transportation sector is essential to achieve the GHG emission reductions needed to avoid the worst effects of climate change, and in conjunction with the introduction of low-NOx heavy duty trucks, to reduce harmful emissions of NOx, particulate matter, and toxic air contaminants that adversely impact public health”. In the MOU, the term ‘electric vehicle’ means battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
Within six months, the states are to develop a multi-state action plan to identify barriers and propose solutions to support widespread electrification (Zero Emission Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Action Plan). The plan would consider a number of measures, such as:
- financial and non-financial vehicle and infrastructure incentives;
- actions to encourage public transit and public fleet zero emission MHDV deployment;
- infrastructure deployment strategies;
- funding sources and financing models;
- leveraging environmental and air quality benefits associated with adoption of the California Advanced Clean Trucks rule under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act;
- outreach and education to public and private MHDV fleet managers;
- utility actions to promote zero emission MHDVs, such as electric distribution system planning, beneficial rate design and investment in charging infrastructure; and
- addressing vehicle weight restrictions that are barriers to zero emission MHDV deployment.
The MOU is a voluntary initiative and does not create any legally binding rights or obligations.
Source: CARB