New York Ag Connection - 15 States, D.C. Memorandum to Zero Out Truck Emissions

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15 States, D.C. Memorandum to Zero Out Truck Emissions
New York Ag Connection - 07/15/2020

Tuesday, a bipartisan group of governors representing 15 states from across the nation and the District of Columbia spoke in unison on committing to zero-out [greenhouse gas emissions] from medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses by 2050.

By signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU), a diverse mix of states that includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington as well as the District of Columbia agreed to work collaboratively to move from dirty fossil fuel trucks towards zero-emission electric vehicles.

The MOU, organized by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), calls for 30 percent of new truck and bus sales to be zero-emission by 2030 and 100 percent zero-emission by 2050.

These states collectively account for almost 50 percent of the U.S. economy and nearly 40 percent of goods moved by truck (by value).

Under the MOU, states will work together to accelerate the medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle market with input from stakeholders, including frontline communities, public health experts, organized labor, utilities, businesses, manufacturers, and environmental groups.

To meet these targets, key policies are identified in the MOU for states to consider, including the [California] Advanced Clean Truck Rule and investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Within six months, the Task Force will develop a multi-state action plan to identify barriers and propose solutions to support widespread electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (Zero Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Action Plan).

The plan the states develop will serve as a roadmap to increase electric vehicle supply, encourage zero-emission vehicle purchases, and establish a supportive ecosystem comprised of a trained workforce, charging infrastructure, and financing tools.

The agreement's ambition matches the challenge and sends a clear message: zero-emission electric trucks and buses are the future.

"While the recently announced MOU takes a long view for commercial trucks in the region to be all electric, there are equally important proven and available near-term opportunities to advance progress for cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions right now. Rapidly accelerating the turnover of the existing fleet to the newest generation of diesel technology as well as expanding the use of low-carbon advanced biofuels can deliver benefits today, and should not be overlooked," noted Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, a not-for-profit association representing manufacturers of diesel engines and equipment, key suppliers of emissions control and other technologies and fuel producers.

"Diesel is the technology of choice for America's trucking industry because of its unique combination of features: the most energy efficient internal combustion engine, power density, driving range, reliability, durability and widely available fueling, servicing and parts networks. Continuous improvement that has now achieved near zero emissions, improving energy efficiency and capabilities of using low-carbon renewable biodiesel fuels, ensure diesel's place in the future.

"Since 2010, a new generation of diesel technology has become the standard for heavy-duty trucks, delivering reductions of 98 percent of emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions. Getting more of this generation of vehicle into the hands of truckers now will pay large benefits in terms of lower emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, particularly trucks operating in the most sensitive communities," said Schaeffer.

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