Understanding the EPA Advanced Clean Trucks waiver

Understanding the EPA Advanced Clean Trucks waiver

CALSTART helps us make sense of the legalese that impacts the sale of diesel trucks, emissions system warranties in California and beyond.

Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted California the ability to enforce standards that will quickly phase down the sales of diesel trucks. This decision aims to change the course of the nation’s transportation industry beyond California’s state borders in an effort to improve air quality.

“This action will spur the growth of the zero-emission truck and charger industry and create thousands of new jobs,” noted John Boesel, president, CEO, CALSTART. “CALSTART’s member network stands ready to work with policymakers and fleets in California and the other six states that have adopted ACT [Advanced Clean Trucks] so far to ensure successful implementation.”

It begs the question: Implementation of what? The request for waivers in the Federal Register can be confusing and dense. What does the EPA’s goal to usher in a new era of clean trucks–powered by batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and other cleaner fuels–mean for fleets that are planning equipment purchases in the next several years? What are the requests related to emissions system warranties? How does this reach beyond California?

Boesel took the time to walk us through the legalese and put the ruling into understandable terms for how CALSTART, a nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, Calif., with a 30-year history of developing clean transportation solutions. Watch the video above for all of his insight.

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