New Jersey has become the first state on the East Coast to adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. The new policy will phase in electric trucks throughout the state to reduce air pollutants from the transportation sector.
The rule will require manufacturers selling medium and heavy-duty vehicles to increase the proportionate number of electric zero-emissions vehicles they sell. The requirement will increase each year until Model Year 2035, when at least 55% of all new trucks sold in New Jersey are to be electric.
Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Sierra Club's New Jersey Chapter Director, said:This is a step towards moving New Jersey away from dirty diesel trucks and building healthier and safer communities across the state. This rule will significantly reduce emissions from the transportation sector, which contributes 41% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey.
New Jersey is the 4th state in the US to adopt this rule, following California, Oregon, and Washington. Together, the states that have adopted or are currently considering the Advanced Clean Trucks rule produce more than 20 percent of US trucks.
Studies suggest that this transition to electric trucks will significantly benefit public health, resulting in fewer respiratory illnesses and fewer asthma-related hospital admissions.
Mary Barber, Environmental Defense Fund State Affairs Director, said:Gov. Murphy and the Department of Environmental Protection have demonstrated their bold commitment to climate leadership during this rulemaking process. It is powerful for the poor communities living near bus depots, airports and ports who live with higher pollution. Clean vehicles are an important step to clean air. It reduces the air pollution that harms peoples’ health.
The state of New Jersey is providing financial assistance with this project and will ensure the necessary charging stations are built to accommodate the growing number of electric vehicles. In November 2021, Democratic Governor Phil Murphy announced a 13.7 million USD investment in increasing the number of electric buses and trucks in the state.
New Jersey’s aim of electrifying the transportation sector and promoting a clean energy future is reflected in New Jersey Transit’s commitment to deploying a 100% zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. The Advanced Clean Trucks rule will now ensure that commercial trucks also begin transitioning to electric to limit harmful emissions.
