The trucking industry and environmentalists are clashing over new state regulations aimed at reducing diesel truck emissions and accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. Two New Jersey lawmakers, Senator Patrick Diegnan and Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, have introduced legislation to delay the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule by two years. The rule, set to take effect on January 1, requires manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission trucks and vehicles over 8,500 pounds annually.
Diegnan and Calabrese argue that New Jersey’s current infrastructure is inadequate to support the necessary charging stations for large vehicles. They also claim that the high cost of electric trucks may drive shoppers to neighboring states for gas models. “Everybody’s in favor of the goal.
But we have 1,200 charging stations in the state of New Jersey, most of which are not available for trucks,” Diegnan said.
Truck regulation delay debate in Jersey
However, Governor Phil Murphy’s administration, which prioritizes a green agenda, opposes the delay.
“We remain committed to the implementation of Advanced Clean Trucks on its current timeline,” stated Natalie Hamilton, the governor’s spokeswoman. Environmentalists warn that delaying the rule would result in more long-lasting diesel trucks on the road, exacerbating pollution in a state already struggling with high pollution levels. Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey, emphasized, “The impact of diesel fumes might not show up on the balance sheet for trucking companies, but it certainly shows up in the lungs of New Jersey residents.”
Truck dealers argue that the mandate is economically unfeasible due to the high cost of electric trucks and the need for additional infrastructure.
Eric DeGesero, a lobbyist for the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, stressed that the $20 billion logistics industry in New Jersey would be negatively impacted. Despite concerns about readiness, New Jersey has made some progress in expanding charging infrastructure. The state Board of Public Utilities recently adopted requirements for electric utilities to propose programs to expand charging infrastructure, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a federal grant to expand charging infrastructure for trucks along the Interstate-95 freight corridor.
As the debate continues, environmentalists maintain that the technology exists to reduce truck pollution and protect vulnerable communities, while the trucking industry pushes for more time to adapt to the new regulations.
