News

fleet of electric trucks

Medium- and Heavy-Duty ZEV Action Plan Charts Important Path Forward To Economic Opportunities and Emissions Reductions

Western Resource Advocates today welcomed NESCAUM’s release of an action plan that would provide guidance to states on how to accelerate the numbers of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks on our roads while providing economic development opportunities across the region. “The NESCAUM report lays out the reasons why state governments need to act urgently to

Share

Western Resource Advocates today welcomed NESCAUM’s release of an action plan that would provide guidance to states on how to accelerate the numbers of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks on our roads while providing economic development opportunities across the region.

“The NESCAUM report lays out the reasons why state governments need to act urgently to accelerate the deployment of all-electric trucks — to improve air quality in disproportionately impacted communities, accelerate a clean energy workforce, and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change,” said Aaron Kressig, transportation electrification manager for Western Resource Advocates. “Large commercial vehicles have an outsized impact on air quality because trucks, vans, and buses often are powered by diesel fuel and emit more carbon pollution. Electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is critical in addressing climate change and air quality in our region.”

The NESCAUM report provides a game plan for what states can do to get more zero-emission trucks on the road. Among other guidance, the report recommends that states:

  • Adopt sales requirements for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles, such as the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation;
  • Develop vehicle purchasing incentives to lower up-front costs for prospective buyers; and
  • Provide support for charging infrastructure specifically intended for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles, through electric utility transportation electrification plans.

Nevada last March became the 17th U.S. state to join the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle (MHD ZEV) initiative organized by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM). The coalition of states, which also includes Colorado, have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance and accelerate the market for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, through steps that include an Advanced Clean Trucks rule.

An Advanced Clean Trucks regulation requires manufacturers operating in a participating state to sell an increasing portion of electric vehicle models classified as 2b-8, which range from heavy-duty pickup trucks to 18-wheelers. A manufacturer meets the Advanced Clean Trucks requirement by selling larger numbers of electric vehicles or buying credits from other auto manufacturers. The bigger the vehicle, the more credits a manufacturer gets for its sale. Implementing the rule helps facilitate wholesale shifts toward production and sales of large electric vehicles.

2° Out West Podcast

Listen

Important updates from WRA’s experts – straight to your inbox.

Western Resource Advocates