California regulators have passed new rules that would see a massive switch from conventional diesel and gas trucks and vans to those running on zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells and fuel cells.
The first guidelines of its kind, to take effect in 2024, cover a wide range of trucking segments, from medium-duty models to “big rigs” that carry a large number of products throughout California and across the country. Current guidelines from the California Air Resources Board are already putting pressure on manufacturers to add electric trucks and hydrogen to light-duty segments.
California’s drive to reduce truck emissions could lead to some major changes in a traditionally stable auto industry. Among other things, it could encourage the emergence of new competitors such as Nikola Motors, which is producing a variety of hydrogen-powered heavy trucks, and the Detroit-based startup Rivian, which has a contract to produce around 100,000 electric delivery vans for Amazon.
“California is once again leading the nation in the fight to make our air cleaner, becoming the first place in the world to require zero-emission trucks by 2045,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement Thursday. “Communities and children of color are often forced to breathe our most polluted air, and today’s vote brings us closer to a healthier future for all of our children.”
California has long pressured auto and truck manufacturers to cut emissions. The state has considerable influence, not only because of the size of its market but also because of an exemption enacted under the Federal Clean Air Act.
According to guidelines approved Thursday, at least 40 percent of tractor trailers sold in California would have to run on some form of zero-emission technology by 2024. Medium-duty trucks, such as the Ford F-250 or Chevrolet Silverado HD, they would be required to change more than 55 percent of their sales by 2035; and 75 percent of delivery trucks and vans would have to use zero emission transmission technology by 2035, a point at which 100 percent of government fleets and last-mile delivery trucks would have to meet the objective.
During a hearing, regulators received mixed comments on their proposals, and clean air advocates argued that such a change is critical to addressing the state’s endemic air pollution problems, as well as broader concerns about climate change.
Mary Nichols, president of CARB, echoed that, saying: “It is the only way we believe we can make significant progress on the most difficult problems of air pollution.”
But industry officials were much more skeptical. Jed Mandel, president of the Association of Truck and Engine Manufacturers, warned that there were a variety of reasons why electric and hydrogen trucks are not the answer. “They cost more than traditional fuel trucks, because there is no charging infrastructure and developing one is very expensive,” he said during the testimony.
However, that is changing rapidly, replied Andy Schwartz, a Tesla policy adviser who said: “The charging infrastructure can and will be built.”
On Friday, Electrify America announced that it had completed a network of chargers spanning the first of two routes across the country that it hopes to power only this year, this one that runs 2,700 miles and spans 11 states.
Created by Volkswagen using $ 2 billion in funds included in its solution to its diesel emissions scandal, EA is planning more than 10,000 public charging stations across the country, with competitors like ChargePoint and EVGo presenting similar plans. .
Meanwhile, Tesla has already energized an extensive cargo network in North America, with plans to beef up the Supercharger network as it prepares to deploy both its Cybertruck truck and its large Semi truck.
The drive for electric trucks is expected to open the door to new manufacturers, though traditional brands aren’t ready to pull out.
Along with Tesla, Nikola Motors hopes to gain traction thanks to CARB’s decision on zero-emission trucks. The Phoenix-based startup, which recently went public and now has a larger market capitalization than Ford, is focusing on hydrogen fuel cell semi trucks, such as the Nikola One. The company hopes to allay concerns over the search for fuel by creating its own network of hydrogen stations throughout the country.
Other startups that could benefit from new California standards and existing electric vehicle rules include Detroit-based Bollinger, Lordstown Motors, which plans to start building electric trucks at the former General Motors plant, and Rivian.
The latest company has received billions of dollars in investments in recent years from players as diverse as Ford, Cox Automotive, and Amazon. The e-commerce giant led a consortium that injected $ 700 million to Rivian and placed an order for 100,000 fully electric delivery trucks through 2024.
Conventional car and truck manufacturers are coming up with their own main plans. General Motors CEO Mary Barra this month announced plans to build electric delivery vans, in addition to the all-electric Hummer van to debut in 2021. Daimler AG’s various subsidiaries, such as Freightliner, have already launched a variety of electric vans. and heavy. trucks, with more in the works. And Toyota is partnering with trucking giant Kenworth to develop hydrogen-powered Class 8 semi-prototypes that could lead to production models by the end of this decade.
In terms of light-duty vehicles, up to eight, and possibly 10, conventional startups and manufacturers are expected to produce all-electric trucks by 2023, including the Hummer, Cybertruck, and an all-electric version of the Ford F-150.
