Vermont and Oregon are the latest states to join the growing chorus pausing their adoption of California emission regulations.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott issued an executive order Tuesday directing the state’s Agency of Natural Resources to pause enforcement of its intent to adopt the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations regarding sales of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) for the automotive, medium- and heavy-duty truck markets.
Oregon followed with a similar announcement Thursday, in which the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced it would pause enforcement of Califonia’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule immediately.
Oregon had implemented the ACT rule on Jan. 1; Vermont had been scheduled to adopt CARB’s ACT and low-NOx Omnibus rules on Jan. 1, 2026.
“I continue to believe we should be incentivizing Vermonters to transition to cleaner energy options like electric vehicles. However, we have to be realistic about a pace that’s achievable. It’s clear we don’t have anywhere near enough charging infrastructure and insufficient technological advances in heavy-duty vehicles to meet current goals,” Scott said.
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“We have much more work to do, in order make it more convenient, faster and more affordable to buy, maintain and charge EVs. When we do, it’s more likely everyday Vermonters will make the switch,” he adds.
Vermont and Oregon now make four states in less than two months that have pulled away from California regulations.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced on April 4 his state would to delay opt-in implementation of ACT to 2029 (it had been scheduled for 2027) while Massachusetts, which had adopted the regulation in January, chose to freeze enforcement until 2027.
Scott’s executive order delays implementation of the regulations in Vermont through 2026 with intent to reevaluate the rules at that time. DEQ’s action Thursday follows the Massachusetts action with enforcement being delayed until 2027.
In announced Oregon’s change Thursday, DEQ Director Leah Feldon cited the lack of new truck availability for the state’s trucking fleet as one motivator for the shift in policy, along with the current administration’s continued focus on reducing federal regulation on trucking.
Both states also acknowledged truck OEMs must meet certain conditions for the changes to proceed, most notably making internal combustion engines (ICE) available in the marketplace and no longer imposing ZEV sales ratios on truck dealers.
Tuesday’s announcement is another blow to California’s regulatory impact on commercial trucking nationwide.
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The state agreed to terminate its Advanced Clean Fleets ZEV purchase mandate last week as became clear the rule was never going to earn EPA approval. The U.S. House also voted last month to revoke the state’s EPA waivers for the Omnibus and ACT rules, and it was announced Tuesday that the Republican-led Senate could soon do the same.
California, Washington, New York and New Jersey are now the only states in which CARB heavy truck regulations currently remain in effect.
In Vermont, Scott’s office states he remains committed to addressing climate change, including advocating for more charging infrastructure, which is key to supporting Vermonters in making EVs viable and reducing transportation emissions. When it comes to transitioning to a low-carbon future, the office of the governor states mandates are not going to be the total answer. Using common sense and incentivizing technological advancements is necessary to overall success and this compliance flexibility is intended to reflect this reality, the office adds.
Feldon had a similar message in Oregon, stating the directive is “to provide temporary relief” to manufacturers and their dealers facing challenges in meeting ZEV sales targets, while maintaining progress toward Oregon’s environmental goals.
