Monday 29 June 2020

California announces transition from diesel to zero-emission trucks by 2024

California announces transition from diesel to zero-emission trucks by 2024

The California Air Resources Board (CARB), which acts as the state's air quality agency, has announced a 'first-in-the-world' rule requiring truck manufacturers to transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric zero-emission vehicles by 2024.

The switch to zero-emission trucks will assist California meet its climate goals.

The new 'clean truck regulation' is also expected to lower premature air pollution-related deaths by a thousand.

The board will also introduce two new rules, including a more strict limit on nitrogen oxides (NOx) and a requirement for larger fleets to transition to electric trucks year by year.

Jared Blumenfeld, California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection, said: "California is an innovation juggernaut that is going electric. We are showing the world that we can move goods, grow our economy and finally dump dirty diesel."

CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols commented: “Diesel vehicles are the workhorses of the economy and we need them to be part of the solution to persistent pockets of dirty air in some of our most disadvantaged communities.”

CARB says trucks are the largest source of air pollution from vehicles, responsible for 70% of the pollution and 80% of carcinogenic diesel substances, even though they make up just two million among the 30 million registered vehicles in the state.

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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