The American Trucking Associations (ATA) released a statement praising the introduction of the Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2021 by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). The bipartisan legislation would repeal the 12% federal excise tax (FET) on heavy-duty trucks, which currently adds approximately $22,000 to the cost of the average new tractor-trailer.
“The federal excise tax on heavy trucks is a relic from the First World War that’s now serving to keep cleaner, safer trucks off of our nation’s roads today,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “By repealing this antiquated tax, Congress can deliver a win for the environment, highway safety, manufacturing jobs and supply-chain efficiency.”
Although technological advances have made the latest tractor-trailers cleaner and safer than ever before, the FET creates a disincentive for motor carriers to modernize their fleets by placing a punitive surcharge on investments in new equipment, ATA says.
A 2020 survey by American Trucking Associations found that 60% of fleets would be either somewhat likely or very likely to buy additional trucks and trailers beyond currently scheduled purchase if the FET were repealed.
