Even as we see the first signs of spring, there’s an artificial chill in the air designed to scare New Yorkers away from cleaner air, good jobs, and better vehicle choices.
Adopted in 2021, the Advanced Clean Trucks rule is a way for New York to clean up air pollution from commercial vehicles by setting increasing targets for larger vehicle manufacturers to make zero-emissions models available for sale starting in 2025—think medium and heavy-duty vehicles like delivery trucks and school buses.
Let’s set aside the sensationalism and focus on the facts.
According to Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, a whopping 72% of Americans support stronger vehicle emissions standards. The surging popularity of EVs backs this up—sales jumped 50% between 2022 and 2023. While New York led the way on the Truck rule, ten other states have adopted the rule including California, New Jersey, and Colorado.
Backed by more than just growing consumer demand, EVs bring economic and workforce benefits. pdf icon EV jobs in New York grew by 13% from 2022 to 2023, six times faster than overall job growth across the economy. EVs also drive energy independence and therefore cost stability and increased security. Not to mention individual consumer cost savings from lower fuel and maintenance costs.
We can’t let myths and misinformation prevail.
One common falsehood is that consumers are forced to buy EVs. That’s simply false. This Rule applies to vehicle manufacturers—not consumers or dealers. The Rule only ensures that more electric models are available; nobody is mandating individual purchases.
The reality? Consumer demand for EVs is outpacing supply. Major companies—including Walmart, Amazon, and FedEx—are all anxious to reap the many benefits of electrification. Growing EV waitlists demonstrates one thing: the Rule won’t force anyone to buy EVs, but will help keep up with overwhelming demand and making sure New York businesses have access to the best, most cost-effective vehicles for their operations.
Then there’s the myth that EV policies will somehow impact snowplows and long-haul trucks. Snowplows are flatly exempt from ACT, and long-range trucks are not covered by the rule. Nothing in ACT affects these vehicles, full stop. Notably, the Department of Environmental Conservation has stated that they will not begin enforcement until 2029 giving the industry leeway if necessary.
So, with all the promise of EVs, why the opposition?
It’s no coincidence that these myths are being pushed now. This coordinated effort by truck manufacturing special interests is looking for a last-minute escape hatch to avoid compliance—even though these rules have been on the books for years and manufacturers can simply purchase credits in place of making EV sales.
Instead of working hard to innovate like so many others, they’re trying to stall progress with mistruths. More importantly, if opponents can shake clean transportation policies in New York, a national leader in clean energy policy, they hope other states will fall like dominoes.
Consumers are increasingly choosing cutting-edge, cost-saving EVs over the vehicles of yesteryear, and who could blame them? More, now than ever, we need to double down on our commitment to ensure that the Empire State remains at the forefront of clean transportation innovation.
The Advanced Clean Trucks rule is a commonsense policy that aligns innovation with consumer demand. Let’s stop fighting progress and start living in a world where we never have to stand outside in a freezing New York winter to refuel ever again. That’s the kind of world I want to live in.
Kristina Persaud is the New York policy lead at Advanced Energy United.
