A second Trump administration could undo Biden-era efforts to decarbonize heavy-duty vehicles, affecting federal funding, emissions regulations and the future of electric school buses and commercial fleets.
Kyle Bagenstose reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Federal incentives, including $40,000 tax credits for electric heavy-duty trucks, could be eliminated, slowing fleet electrification.
- Industry leaders anticipate weakened emissions regulations, particularly affecting California’s stricter environmental policies.
- Experts warn that independent truck drivers face significant challenges in adopting electric vehicles due to high costs and systemic inefficiencies.
Key quote:
“We have an administration coming in who has publicly cast down the Inflation Reduction Act, the infrastructure law, electric vehicles as a concept. Right when we’re about to enter the transition, you’ve got someone who is going to slam on the brakes.”
— Guillermo Ortiz, senior clean vehicles advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council
Why this matters:
Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, with medium- and heavy-duty trucks accounting for nearly a quarter. Rolling back regulations could hinder efforts to reduce harmful air pollution, impacting public health and delaying climate action.
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