Trump EPA ends basis for heavy-duty truck emissions rules

During a 52-day public comment period held last year by the Trump administration on the proposed rescission, industry groups like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association argued that the Biden administration’s reliance on the 2009 finding ignored the practical costs of the regulations: high sticker prices for new trucks and a “pre-buy” frenzy that flooded the market with older, less efficient equipment.

Finalizing the policy change, the group contends, will directly affect equipment purchasing decisions and operating costs for small trucking companies.

“Electric commercial trucks remain prohibitively expensive and impractical for small carriers due to the upfront cost, reliability concerns, and lack of charging infrastructure,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer, commenting on EPA’s announcement.

“Equipment affordability and uptime are essential to keeping small trucking businesses operational. We will continue working with EPA to address other nonsensical rules requiring faulty DEF [diesel exhaust fluid] systems that have sidelined small-business truckers for too long.”

For heavy-duty trucking, the cost savings cited by Zeldin are expected to translate into lower acquisition costs for new internal combustion engines and the elimination of EV sales quotas required of truck makers.

Critics and environmental groups will likely challenge the rescission in court, arguing that climate change science remains settled.

However, EPA’s legal strategy relies on recent Supreme Court rulings that limit the power of federal agencies to promulgate economically significant regulations without congressional approval.

Related articles:

• OOIDA sues EPA over zero-carbon regulation
• Biden administration acknowledges ‘challenge’ with truck emissions rule
• Biden EPA releases strict new heavy truck emissions rule

Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.