Republicans in California are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to reverse his order requiring all trucks to be zero-emissions by 2045.

On Monday, Republicans in the House wrote a letter to Newsom citing a fire last month involving lithium-ion batteries.

The headlines determine: On July 26, a truck loaded with lithium-ion batteries overturned and caught fire on Interstate 15.

• The highway had to be closed for two days, leaving drivers trapped in their cars near Baker in 42-degree heat.
• The California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, the San Bernardino County Fire Department and other agencies responded to the fire but were ultimately unable to do anything because pouring water into lithium batteries would have released toxic gases into the air.
• They had to allow the batteries to burn out on their own.

The background story: In September 2020, Newsom issued an executive order to implement the Advanced Clean Fleets mandate by 2045.

• This mandate requires medium and heavy-duty vehicles to be zero-emission by 2045 and trucks at state ports by 2035.

What they say: “Unlike a diesel truck catching fire, it is essentially impossible to extinguish an electric vehicle fire,” wrote Republicans in the California legislature. “In addition, the batteries of an electric truck can weigh up to 7.2 tons – making recovery of the stranded truck difficult at best. Therefore, the road must remain closed until the fire has burned out.”

• Republicans said the massive closure of Interstate 15 shows that California is not ready to implement the Advanced Clean Fleets rule.
• The Republicans added: “If a diesel truck with six batteries can shut down a major highway for 48 hours, what will happen when the highways are swarming with electric trucks powered by those batteries?”
• Lawmakers asked Newsom if his administration had a plan to respond to electric vehicle fires and strategies to avoid lengthy road closures. They also asked how his administration plans to protect communities from toxic fumes.
• “Public safety is not the only concern with this poorly conceived mandate,” they wrote. “Its sweeping requirements will negatively impact many of the state’s employers and residents. Therefore, we ask that you delay implementation of your Advanced Clean Fleets mandate.”