California lands zero-emissions vehicle deal with US truck manufacturers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — California officials on Thursday announced a deal with U.S. truck manufacturers which will help the state meet its climate goals through the development of zero-emission vehicles.

The agreement between the California Air Resources Board and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, as well as with its commercial engine and vehicle members and Ford Motor Company, has the companies committing to help California reach its goal of 100% clean truck sales by 2036.

“California has shown the world what real climate action looks like, and we’re raising the bar yet again,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “Today, truck manufacturers join our urgent efforts to slash air pollution, showing the rest of the country that we can both cut dangerous pollution and build the economy of the future.”

Jed Mandel, president of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, said the agreement reinforces his organization and members’ commitment to lowering emissions, as well as to a zero-emissions commercial vehicle future.

“We look forward to continuing to work constructively with CARB on future regulatory and infrastructure efforts designed to support a successful transition to ZEVs,” he said.

According to the governor’s office, the move will significantly cut pollution, as fossil fuels are the largest source of air pollution. This past April, California became the first jurisdiction in the world to state it would end the sale of traditional combustion trucks by 2036. This is part of the state’s goal to reach 100% zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 2045.

The move came on the heels of the Biden administration’s approval of California’s clean trucks rule the previous month. That rule requires manufacturers to hasten sales of zero-emission, heavy-duty trucks by 2035.

The governor’s office stated that the two measures — ending the sale of combustion trucks and accelerating the sale of zero-emission trucks — work together to cut air pollution.

“The unprecedented collaboration between California regulators and truck manufacturers marks a new era in our zero-emission future, where we work together to address the needs of both the trucking industry and the Californians who deserve to breathe clean air,” said Air Resources Board chair Liane Randolph. “This agreement makes it clear that we have shared goals to tackle pollution and climate change and to ensure the success of the truck owners and operators who provide critical services to California’s economy.”

The agreement touted Thursday by the governor is specific to California. However, in an email the Air Resources Board said it believes other states that have or will adopt its regulations would benefit from using the flexibilities found in the agreement.

“The changes we’re making will provide the benefit of a single standard, rather than two different standards,” said Dave Clegern, public information officer with the Air Resources Board, in an email.

Concerning the cost of the new vehicles, Clegern said manufacturers have been prepping for years to work within the new standards, and that “at this point many of the components of zero-emissions trucks are approaching price parity with fossil fuel engines.”

California met its goal of selling 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles in the state two years early. Out of all new cars sold this year, 21.1% of them were zero-emission. Additionally, 40% of all zero-emission vehicles sold in the country were sold in California.

The vehicles are a major export, which has led to significant advances in job creation. The state has 55 zero-emissions manufacturers and the most ZEV manufacturing jobs in the nation.

“Navistar is committed to offering our customers products and services which support a sustainable future,” said Michael Noonan, director of product certification and compliance for Navistar, in a statement. “ This agreement enables the regulatory certainty we all need to prepare for a future which will include ever increasing volumes of low- and zero-emissions technologies.”