States Are Embracing Electric Trucks
In July of 2020, 15 states plus the District of Columbia formed the largest-ever national partnership to address pollution from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), states committed to achieve 100% sales of electric trucks by 2050, with an interim target of 30% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.
Many state governments have already formalized these commitments by adopting a version of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule and/or the Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) rule. In 2023, California went a step further in meeting the state’s clean air goals and adopted the Advanced Clean Fleets program.
Learn more about where states currently stand in their clean truck policies, and find groups working within each state to deliver #ElectricTrucksNow:
States that have signed the 100% zero-emission truck MOU and are working on adopting the advanced clean trucks rule:
PENNSYLVANIA
In 2024, advocates and business supporters launched a campaign to request Governor Shapiro to direct the commonwealth’s Department of Environmental Protection to formally begin an ACT rulemaking process.
Resources:
Website: Clean Trucks PA
Report: Pennsylvania Clean Trucks Program (commissioned by NRDC)
Press Release: Businesses Announce Support for Advanced Clean Trucks Rule in Pennsylvania (CALSTART)
ILLINOIS
In 2023, advocates began a campaign to request the Illinois General Assembly to take up a bill for legislative adoption of ACT.
Resources:
Report: Illinois Clean Trucks Program (commissioned by NRDC)
CONNECTICUT
Regulators and legislators in Connecticut are working toward an official adoption in 2025.
Resources:
Fact Sheet: What the Advanced Clean Truck Rule Will Do for Connecticut (UCS)
MAINE
Maine has attempted ACT rulemaking twice; both attempts were blocked by opposition. Advocates continue to press the Board of Environmental Protection to take action on cleaner trucks standards in 2024 or 2025.
Resources:
States that have signed the 100% zero-emission truck MOU and fully adopted the advanced clean trucks rule:
CALIFORNIA
In June 2020, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously adopted the world’s first zero-emission commercial truck requirement, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule. The Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) rule was adopted in 2021 and amended in 2023.
Resources:
Fact Sheet: Accelerating Zero-Emission Truck Markets, by CARB
State Campaign Site: California Electric Trucks Now
OREGON
In November 2021, the State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality formally adopted the ACT rule and the HDO rule.
Resources:
State Campaign Site: Clean Air Healthy Communities
Report: Oregon Clean Trucks Program: An Analysis of the Impacts of Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks on the Environment, Public Health, Industry, and the Economy, by MJ Bradley and Associates
WASHINGTON
In March, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the Motor Vehicle Emission Standards – Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) bill, which, directed the Department of Ecology to adopt California vehicle emission standards, including Zero-emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (the Advanced Clean Trucks rule). In November 2021, the Washington Department of Ecology formally adopted the ZEV program, including the ACT rule. The HDO rule was adopted a year later, in December 2022.
Resources:
Report: Washington Clean Trucks Program: An Analysis of the Impacts of Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks on the Environment, Public Health, Industry, and the Economy, by MJ Bradley and Associates
NEW JERSEY
In April 2021, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection proposed an Advanced Clean Trucks program along with a Fleet Reporting Requirement. In December 2021, the DEP formally adopted the ACT. The HDO rule was adopted a year later, in November 2022.
Resources:
Press Release: Coalition for Healthy Ports
MASSACHUSETTS
On December 30, 2021, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced that emergency regulations have been filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office to immediately adopt California’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation. The filing of the emergency regulations commenced the start of a public comment period and the coordination of a public hearing in February 2022. The ACT was officially enacted on December 30, 2022. The HDO rule was also adopted at the same time.
NEW YORK
In September 2021, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced plans to revise the existing low emission vehicle (LEV) program to incorporate California’s Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standards. On December 30, 2021, the DEC officially adopted the ACT. The HDO rule was adopted a year later, in December 2022.
Resources:
Report: New York Clean Trucks Program: An Analysis of the Impacts of Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks on the Environment, Public Health, Industry, and the Economy, by MJ Bradley and Associates
VERMONT
In November 2022, the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules for Vermont officially approved adoption of the ACT rule, as well as the HDO rule.
Resources:
Fact Sheet: Advanced Clean Trucks, by Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
COLORADO
Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission adopted the ACT rule on April 21, 2023. The HDO rule was also adopted at the same time.
NEW MEXICO
After a four-day hearing, the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board voted to adopt the ACT and HDO rules on November 16, 2023.
MARYLAND
Maryland’s General Assembly provided legislative approval for the new standard in April 2023 by passing the Clean Trucks Act of 2023. Following official publication in the state’s Register, Maryland became the tenth state to adopt the ACT rule in December 2023.
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island became the eleventh state to adopt the ACT rule in December 2023. The HDO rule was also adopted at the same time.
States that have signed the 100% zero-emission truck MOU:
District of Columbia
Hawaii
North Carolina