Trump’s anti-EV rules aren’t stopping California’s electric truck boom—yet
This story was originally published by Grist . Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here . Wes Lowe uses so much Claritin that he started an Amazon subscription to avoid running out. His kids take two asthma medications. This reflects the normalcy of pollution in California’s San Joaquin Valley, where residents breathe some of the dirtiest air in the nation . Lowe lives about 20 miles outside of Fresno, in the valley’s heart. More than a dozen highways, including Interstate 5, run through the region, carrying almost half of the state’s truck traffic. The sky is usually hazy, the air often deemed hazardous, and 1 in 6 children live with asthma. “You don’t realize how bad it is until you leave,” Lowe said. He understands California’s urgent need to clear the air by electrifying the trucking industry and pushing older, more polluting machinery off the road. That would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 17.1 tons annually by 2037 , significantly reduce the amount of smog-forming ozone,and go a long way toward meeting federal air quality requirements. But as a partner at Kingsburg Truck Center, a dealership in Kingsburg, he’s seen how difficult this transition will be. More than 15 percent of medium- and heavy-duty trucks sold statewide in 2023 were zero-emission . But the road has been bumpy amid growing uncertainty about California’s regulations and the Trump administration’s hostility toward electric vehicles , the clean energy transition , and the state’s climate policies. The Golden State started its trucking transition
In the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, Wes Lowe battles the daily realities of pollution. Lowe, a partner at Kingsburg Truck Center, relies on Claritin to manage his allergies and watches his children take two asthma medications. This reflects the normalcy of air pollution in a region where residents breathe some of the dirtiest air in the nation. More than a dozen highways, including Interstate 5, run through the valley, carrying almost half of the state’s truck traffic. The sky is usually hazy, the air often deemed hazardous, and 1 in 6 children live with asthma. “You don’t realize how bad it is until you leave,” Lowe said.
The urgent need to clear the air by electrifying the trucking industry and pushing older, more polluting machinery off the road is clear. Transitioning to electric vehicles could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 17.1 tons annually by 2037, significantly reduce the amount of smog-forming ozone, and go a long way toward meeting federal air quality requirements. However, Lowe has seen firsthand how challenging this transition will be, particularly amid growing uncertainty about California’s regulations and the Trump administration’s hostility toward electric vehicles, the clean energy transition, and the state’s climate policies.
California began its trucking transition in 2021 when it required manufacturers to produce an increasing number of zero-emission big rigs, known as Advanced Clean Trucks, or ACT. The following year, it mandated that private and public fleets buy only those machines by 2036, establishing what are called Advanced Clean Fleets, or ACF. The Environmental Protection Agency granted the waiver California needed to adopt ACT in 2023. However, it had not acted on the exemption required for ACF, leaving the future of the program uncertain.
Despite these challenges, California’s electric truck boom continues to gain momentum. In 2023, more than 15 percent of medium- and heavy-duty trucks sold statewide were zero-emission. This growth is driven by a combination of factors, including the state’s ambitious regulations, the increasing affordability of electric trucks, and the push from both public and private sectors to reduce emissions.
One of the key drivers of this transition is the push for cleaner air in regions like the San Joaquin Valley. As Wes Lowe knows all too well, the health consequences of pollution are real and urgent. By electrifying the trucking industry, California is not only working to meet federal air quality standards but also addressing the immediate health needs of its residents.
However, the path to electrification is not without obstacles. The Trump administration’s hostility toward clean energy policies has created uncertainty for manufacturers and fleets investing in electric trucks. The lack of federal support for Advanced Clean Fleets has left California’s program in limbo, raising questions about its future.
Despite these challenges, the momentum for electric trucks in California remains strong. Manufacturers like Tesla, Rivian, and Ford are investing heavily in the development of electric trucks, while fleets are increasingly turning to zero-emission vehicles to reduce their environmental impact. The state’s regulations, while facing scrutiny, have set a clear target for the transition, and the health benefits of cleaner air are a powerful motivator for change.
In the San Joaquin Valley and across California, the battle for clean air and a sustainable transportation system is ongoing. While Trump’s anti-EV rules pose a threat, the state’s electric truck boom shows resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The future of the transportation sector in California—and potentially beyond—hinges on the success of this transition, as the health of residents like Wes Lowe and the environment depend on it.
