California abandons e-trucking mandate citing Trump’s promise to block the rule

California will no longer pursue a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency that would have allowed it to mandate electric semi-trucks. 

The California Air Resources Board (CARB), CalMatters reported, said in a statement that the EPA hadn’t acted on the request for a waiver, which would be required to implement emission-control rules more stringent than the federal government’s, before President-elect Donald Trump takes office next week. 

“While we are disappointed that U.S. EPA was unable to act on all the requests in time, the withdrawal is an important step given the uncertainty presented by the incoming administration that previously attacked California’s programs to protect public health and the climate, and has said will continue to oppose those programs,” Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph said in a statement.

The Advanced Clean Fleet rule would have banned the sale of new diesel-powered semi-trucks in 2036, and required large trucking companies to transition their medium and heavy-duty fleet vehicles to electric or hydrogen by 2042. 

The Specialty Equipment Market Association and National Truck Equipment Association jointly filed a federal lawsuit against CARB over the rule, arguing it exceeded the state’s authority.  The American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree Chamber) and Associated Equipment Distributors filed a separate lawsuit against the regulation. 

In a statement, Gentry Collins, AmFree Chamber CEO called the rule an "illegal scheme" that would have negatively impacted consumers and businesses. 

“Rather than stand and argue their case on its merits, Governor Newsom’s California Air Resources Board took their ball and went home....Make no mistake: no amount of bluster from Governor Newsom should be able to undermine the rule of law and force reckless and illegal policies on an unwilling electorate," Collins said.