Litigants Allege EPA Cannot Legally Mandate Electric Trucks

A coalition of 24 states and various economic interests has filed a court brief asserting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have the legal authority to mandate the transition of heavy-duty vehicles to electric power. This challenge targets the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles, which are expected to necessitate that around 45% of new heavy-duty trucks be electric by 2032, drastically increasing from nearly zero currently. The coalition, spearheaded by Nebraska, contends that these new regulations would represent a significant economic burden on manufacturers, trucking companies, farmers, and biofuel producers, with projected costs exceeding $50 billion. Central to the coalition’s argument is the view that the EPA’s standards could only be met by reducing the production of internal combustion engine vehicles in favor of electric alternatives. They claim the standards are overly stringent, and they obscure the viability of biofuels as an alternative. Moreover, the brief highlights potential logistical challenges, including the current limitations of battery-electric vehicle technology, namely shorter mileage ranges and longer refueling times. The group argues that the necessary infrastructure to support such a rapid shift to electric vehicles, including public charging stations and grid enhancements, does not currently exist and would take years to develop. Experts in the field of transportation note that while transitioning to electric vehicles can lead to environmental benefits, the current pace and infrastructural planning appear overly ambitious. A balanced approach that considers incremental advancements in battery technology, infrastructure development, and diverse fuel options, including biofuels and hybrid technologies, seems crucial to ensure a sustainable and economically viable transition for the transportation sector.