WAMC reports, a New York trucking trade group and its legislative allies want Governor Kathy Hochul (D) to postpone the 2025 effective date of rules that require a percentage of new trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission vehicles. At a news conference on Monday, they called for the implementation date to be extended to 2027, arguing there isn’t enough infrastructure in place yet to support a transition. They also argued that encouraging an intermediate shift to clean-burning fuel is a more realistic approach to balancing climate action with economic reality. (New York’s Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) regulations (6 NYCRR Part 218), which are based on a California model, were issued in 2021 pursuant to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.)
WRGB also covered the news conference, noting that some speakers specifically addressed the lack of New York Thruway facilities for charging medium- and high-duty commercial vehicles. Although the authority is adding charging units as part of its service plaza redevelopment project, the equipment doesn’t enable timely and economical charging of big rigs. Truckers say electric-powered vehicles won’t have the range needed for freight hauling without access to more adequate charging infrastructure.
POLITICO reports, New York isn’t the only state where officials are contemplating or being pressured to consider a postponement of regulations intended to put more electric and low-emission trucks on the road.