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, especially 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.
Despite these challenges, California’s electric truck boom continues to grow. In 2023, more than 15 percent of medium- and heavy-duty trucks sold statewide were zero-emission. This progress is driven by a combination of factors, including the state’s ambitious regulations, the increasing affordability of electric vehicles, and the commitment of both public and private entities to the transition.
One of the key drivers of this transition is the push for cleaner air in regions like the San Joaquin Valley. The health impacts of pollution are all too real for residents like Lowe, and the need for action is urgent. The state’s regulations, despite facing federal opposition, have spurred innovation and investment in electric truck technology. Companies such as Tesla, Rivian, and Ford have all entered the market, offering electric trucks that are becoming increasingly competitive with traditional diesel-powered vehicles.
However, the transition is not without its obstacles. The Trump administration’s hostility toward clean energy policies has created uncertainty for both manufacturers and fleet operators. The lack of federal support for California’s ACF mandate has left the future of the program in question. This uncertainty has led to delays in the rollout of electric fleets and has made it more difficult for manufacturers to plan for the future.
Despite these challenges, California’s electric truck boom shows no signs of slowing down. The state’s commitment to clean air and its leadership in clean energy policies continue to drive progress. The transition to electric trucks is not just about reducing pollution in the San Joaquin Valley—it’s about improving the health and well-being of millions of Californians and setting a national standard for the clean energy transition.
As the Trump administration’s anti-EV rules loom, California’s electric truck boom serves as a testament to the power of state-led action in the face of federal opposition. The Golden State’s determination to prioritize clean air and a sustainable future is inspiring, and its progress in electrifying the trucking industry is a beacon of hope for a greener future.
