U.S. Congress Votes to Eliminate Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) Mandates

The U.S. Congress has passed legislation to end California’s controversial Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) mandates for electric vehicles.

On Thursday, the U.S. Senate voted to repeal the state’s EPA-granted waiver to reach zero carbon emissions by 2025, and a waiver to lower nitrogen oxide emissions for heavy-duty trucks.

The House of Representatives had previously passed resolutions to revoke the ability of California to implement the ACT and   Low NOx (Omnibus) regulations for heavy-duty trucks.

California’s regulations were seen as a burden for heavy truck manufacturers to reach compliance, and impractical for trucking applications and performance, especially for the towing industry.

In a press release from the Safe Roads Coalition, a coalition of towing and recovery businesses, national director Josh Lovelace stated: “While well-intended, California’s electric truck mandates were unworkable. Multiple states had already delayed the rule as California created a de facto ban on even new, lower-emission diesel combustion engines. By protecting access to combustion engines, Congress has ensured that America’s motoring public will continue to have access to reliable and affordable towing services.”

President Trump is expected to sign the legislation into law.