Before AmFree filed legal action this month, Republican Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers submitted In November, the state of California filed an antitrust lawsuit against several heavy-duty truck manufacturers, alleging that they had “embarked on a mission to eliminate ICE.” [internal combustion engine] Mandate vehicle electrification. ” Hilgers alleges in the lawsuit that automakers will be passing on compliance costs to consumers.
According to the complaint, “the U.S. auto industry is at odds with itself.” “On the one hand, they are trying to quell the growing all-electric movement. On the other hand, they are trying to prioritize their country's economic health. Achieving both objectives is impossible in a world where conventional internal combustion engine (“ICE”) vehicles remain profitable and in high demand, where conventional internal combustion engine (“ICE”) vehicles continue to be profitable and in high demand. The obvious solution to this problem is to eliminate consumer choice and shift the cost to the consumer. ”
carbohydrates Advanced clean fleet (ACF) regulations require manufacturers to sell only zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles in California starting in 2036. “High-priority” federally owned vehicles can purchase either ZEVs, near-ZEVs, or a combination of the two until 2035. Only ZEV meets the requirements. According to to carbohydrates. The California Commission states that a company that “owns, operates, or directs the operation of at least one vehicle in California” and has gross annual revenues of at least $50 million or operates a total of 50 or more vehicles. are considered “high priority”. ” and are subject to regulations.
Hilgars used to submitted lawsuit against California regulators in May; claim It said the ACF rule would “inevitably disrupt supply chains for all types of goods” and “impose costs on taxpayers and governments across the country.”
“California's regulations, called Advanced Clean Fleet, masquerade as rules for conduct within the state,” the complaint alleges. “However, by taking advantage of California's large population and access to international ports on the West Coast, Advanced Clean Fleet exported 'intrastate' prohibited items across the country, creating harm that was certain to be felt in Plaintiff's state.” ”
The lawsuit was joined by the Nebraska Trucking Association, the Arizona Legislature, and attorneys general from several states, including Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. According to Go to press release. (Related: Biden unveils new 'ambitious' climate goals weeks before Trump returns to White House)
Advanced Clean Fleet “requires certain trucking fleet owners and operators to retire internal combustion trucks and transition to more expensive and less efficient electric trucks. “It also applies to vehicles headquartered outside of California if they operate in California,” the Nebraska Trucking Association said. I wrote In a press release. “Given California’s large population and access to ports for international trade, this regulation will have a significant impact on supply chains nationwide.”
The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Dec. 18 that CARB “Advanced Clean Car IIThe regulation would phase out the sale of all new cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in California by 2035. The number of small EV registrations in California will be approximately 1,256,646 in 2023, the highest number of all states. According to Submit to the Department of Energy (DOE).
The Biden-Harris administration has introduced a number of clean energy policies as part of President Joe Biden's climate change agenda, including implementing stricter tailpipe emissions standards in March. The president also vowed to build 500,000 EV charging stations across the country by 2030, but this plan has so far been severely delayed.
Despite the administration's massive push to promote electric vehicles across the country, some automakers have recently rolled back their EV targets amid weak consumer demand. The high prices associated with EVs are a deterrent for some consumers. average Electric cars cost $55,105 in November, compared to $48,724 for gasoline cars.
President-elect Donald Trump criticized Biden's EV policy, calling it “insane” during the campaign and vowing to reverse it. President Trump's transition team reportedly plans major changes to Biden's EV policy, including imposing tariffs on battery materials, Reuters Reported.
The majority of U.S. truck drivers rely on vehicles with internal combustion engines, and 99.9% of all commercial trucks in the U.S. trucking sector are powered by diesel, natural gas, or gasoline. According to Go to the Engine Technology Forum. The average annual vehicle mileage for semi-trucks in the United States is 62,169. According to To the DOE.
Fully electrifying the U.S. commercial truck fleet could cost nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure investments alone. According to This is in response to Roland Berger's report published by the Clean Freight Coalition in March. Traditional trucks can travel up to 2,000 miles without refueling, while today's electric semi-trucks can go up to 500 miles. According to Based on the May 2023 report of the Institute of Environment and Energy Research. All electric semi-trucks are also capable of transporting over an hour. time To charge.
A CARB spokesperson declined to comment. Spokespeople for the American Chamber of Free Enterprise and Hilgers did not respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
