Washington State trucking associations are calling on their governor to reconsider implementing a zero-emission truck policy modeled on California.

Sheri Call, President and CEO of the WTA, recently wrote a letter to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee to emphasize the severe impact the zero-emission truck policy could have on the state’s trucking industry and the entire supply chain within the state. The policy aims to transition medium and heavy-duty trucks to zero emissions, similar to California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) policy. Washington’s policy requires 7% of all commercial vehicles sold in Washington to be zero-emission vehicles.

“We believe these issues will constrain the industry and reduce supply chain resilience in Washington state – one of the most trade-driven states in the U.S. We don’t have to look far back to understand the impact of shortages of goods and medical supplies during the pandemic as a result of labor and equipment shortages in the transportation industry,” Call said. “Imagine the negative impact on affordability in our state and on any environmental benefits of sending trucks from further afield to Washington. This is a reality we face under the ACT policy.”

“Artificially manipulating the market to force the sale of ZEV trucks will have profound effects on the industry and lead to unintended consequences. California authorities wrote, passed and implemented the ACT program for the state of California. But Washington is not California.”

The letter also highlights industry concerns about the cost, range, fueling and infrastructure requirements of these vehicles.

“However fleet and truck owners respond, these direct and indirect costs of compliance are sure to be passed on to consumers throughout the supply chain,” she writes. “Nothing is free, and ACT will drive up the cost of every consumer good or service that relies on M/HD commercial vehicles.”

Call insists in the letter that the government in Washington must consider other options, such as hydrogen, before implementing another state’s measures.

“The WTA is committed to working with stakeholders to find a balanced approach that delivers decarbonisation but also protects the backbone of our supply chain and our trade-dependent economy.”