WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) led more than 150 of their colleagues in a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the Biden Administration to overturn its de facto electric mandate on trucks, tractors, buses and semis.
The final rule, entitled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3,” was published on April 22, 2024.
“Heavy-handed, top-down environmental policies do more harm than good. Regulations like these raise costs for Americans, harm farmers and small businesses and push our country toward greater dependence on China,” said Crapo. “We deserve a choice in the cars and trucks we drive, especially when the consequences of these mandates are so detrimental to the economic success of families, businesses and rural communities.”
“The Biden administration’s mandate that impacts all trucks, tractors, buses, and semis would strain our supply chains, hurt our farmers, harm our economy, and increase costs for every single American. On top of inflation, poor economic conditions, and other regulations, this de facto EV mandate on our truckers, manufacturers, farmers, and dealers will hike the cost of groceries, utility bills, and everyday goods that American families rely on. It’s also a deliberate attack on liquid fuels – including homegrown Iowa biofuels – that are vital to our energy, economic, and national security,” said Feenstra. “I’m glad that over 150 of our colleagues joined us on our mission to overturn this burdensome mandate and maintain choice for both manufacturers, truckers, and consumers alike. This rule represents yet another attempt by the Biden administration to give more power to bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., and I’m proud to lead the effort to oppose President Biden’s power grab. We must let the free market – not the heavy hand of government – work as intended.”
“ATA remains opposed to EPA’s current GHG3 rule. The current state of available zero-emission technology, very limited heavy-duty charging and refueling infrastructure, and an unstable power grid make the post-2030 targets entirely unachievable,” said Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs at the American Trucking Association. “ATA believes the most effective path to fixing the serious flaws in GHG3 is through legislative and administrative means. That’s why we welcome this effort led by Congressman Feenstra and Senator Crapo calling on EPA to withdraw this unworkable rule and review the targets to account for the operational realities of trucking.”
“This final rule, which encompasses heavy-duty vehicles ranging from delivery trucks and school buses to tractors and semis, would disrupt the heavy-duty truck industry by forcing the broad adoption of heavy-duty zero emission vehicles on an extremely aggressive timeline, despite these vehicles currently being less than 1% of sales,” the lawmakers wrote. “According to a recent study, it would cost nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure investment alone to fully electrify the U.S. commercial fleet, which does not include the expense of purchasing new semis. Additionally, the cost for an electric semi-truck averages over $400,000 while a comparable diesel Class 8 truck costs around $180,000 – meaning electric trucks cost an average of 122% more than a normal semi.”
“Our farmers and agricultural industry will be especially hurt by this new mandate. According to the latest agriculture census by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are 3,161,820 trucks (including pickups) on over 1.4 million farms and 3,784,743 tractors on over 1.5 million farms that would see higher equipment costs and tighter margins due to this misguided rule. These numbers also do not account for the small, independent truckers, trucking companies, and truck dealerships throughout the U.S. that will be impacted. Not only would this rule harm consumers, but it would also exacerbate consolidation by effectively forcing our small trucking companies out of business that cannot afford this hasty transition to electric or hydrogen powered trucks,” the lawmakers added.
Crapo introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, S. 3094, on October 19, 2023, to prohibit the EPA from moving forward with its EV mandate for passenger cars and trucks, or any similar future rules that would limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type. Crapo and Feenstra also led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Administration in February, urging it to withdraw that rule.
The full letter can be found HERE.
