Lubbock Times

Washington, D.C. – This week, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) joined over 150 members from both the House and Senate in a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan demanding the overturning of an electric mandate on trucks, tractors, buses, and semis.

“We urge you to withdraw your final rule that is both unrealistic and burdensome,” wrote the letter in part. “This rule will only further increase costs for American families, businesses, and rural communities while fueling more inflation. We need to give Americans a choice in the cars and trucks they drive, and affordability and performance for the trucking industry is paramount.”

The final rule is entitled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3” and was published on April 22, 2024. This rule encompasses heavy-duty vehicles ranging from delivery trucks and school buses to tractors and semis. It aims to disrupt the heavy-duty truck industry by forcing the broad adoption of heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles on an aggressive timeline. Currently, these vehicles account for less than 1% of sales.

According to a recent study, it would cost nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure investment alone to fully electrify the U.S. commercial fleet. This figure does not include the expense of purchasing new semis. Additionally, the cost for an electric semi-truck averages over $400,000 while a comparable diesel Class 8 truck costs around $180,000 – meaning electric trucks cost an average of 122% more than a normal semi.