Biden finalizes truck climate rule

Administration officials say it’s difficult to say exactly what percentage of new heavy-duty truck sales could be expected to be electric under the rule, noting that it deals with eight different classes of trucks.

However, a possible scenario outlined in the rule shows that in 2032 sales of lighter heavy-duty trucks could be 60 percent electric, sales of medium heavy-duty trucks could be 40 percent electric and sales of heavy heavy-duty trucks could be 30 percent electric.

The truck rules don’t explicitly mandate a shift toward electric trucks. 

 

Instead, they set pollution limits for truckmakers’ fleets that are expected to push them in the direction of low-emitting technologies.

Like recently issued rules for passenger vehicles, the finalized truck rule’s requirements were loosened for the earlier years of the program when compared to what would have been required under the proposed rule. This was done to allow for the development of new technology and the deployment of more charging infrastructure.

But an EPA spokesperson said the new rule is actually expected to deliver a slightly greater emissions cut than the proposed rule would have, preventing a billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2055.

In addition, the rule is expected to reduce releases of other types of pollution, which officials said would benefit public health.

 

It’s receiving pushback from industry and Republicans, however.

Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), alongside Reps. John James (R-Mich.) and Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), said in a joint statement that they will introduce Congressional Review Act legislation to try to repeal it. 

 

But their effort is likely to be hampered by the prospect of a presidential veto. 

Meanwhile, a pair of oil industry groups, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers and American Petroleum Institute, threatened to sue over the rule. 

 

Read more at TheHill.com.