The American Trucking Associations (ATA) believes now is the time for the trucking industry to mount a defense against California’s Air Resources Board (CARB).
In a letter released Wednesday, ATA President and CEO Chris Spear urged North American engine manufacturers to abandon the Clean Truck Partnership agreement announced in 2023 due to the state’s regulators’ aggressiveness in pushing zero-emission solutions into the transportation industry.
“By strong-arming our industry into unachievable targets and timelines void of operational and economic reality, [CARB’s] mad dash to zero has set our industry up for failure,” Spear wrote. “California’s ideological approach has cratered the truck market; sales are down by over 50% compared to last year. Availability of California-certified diesel engines are hard to come by and expensive, rationed due to zero-emission truck sales requirements.”
California dealers and carriers alike have shared their frustrations with the regulations to Trucks, Parts, Service throughout the year.
In his letter, Spear cited the decision by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers to sue CARB as an opportunity for manufacturers to sideline the California agreement and “work in solidarity with the industry to deliver commonsense solutions.”
His letter also noted OEMs and customers can best work in partnership to advance their shared goal of reducing emissions and said the sustainability goals of the businesses “reflect our industry’s core values and shared mission to deliver emissions reductions” through achievable regulations.
“As your customers and partners, we ask that you work with all members of the American Trucking Associations to forge a viable path forward. Abandon the CTP and work with us and the incoming Administration in Washington to reopen Greenhouse Gas Phase 3 and revise it with achievable, national standards that put our industry on a sustainable and successful path towards a zero-emissions vehicle future,” Spear wrote.
A full copy of Spear’s letter can be found on the ATA website.
