Law makers need to take a ride a long in
various segments of the trucking industry to get a better
understanding of implementing clean fleet regulation in order to
understand the various technology/practicallity gaps, cost
impacts, and business risks assocaited with the regulation they are
proposing. Large and well capitalized players can eventually
corner the market and monopolize the industry. Smaller
carriers bring liquidity to a tight market and more specialized
service. The barriers to entry for clean fleets will push
smaller carriers out of the market and again reduce much needed
supply of truck drivers. Financial instruments that would
mitigate risk for smaller fleets would go a long way toward
leveling the playing field for the proposed clean fleet
regulations. Modifications to weight limits to
accmodate newer clean fleets will have to line up with existing
regulation or mandates to limit weights of clean vehicles with
minimum ranges would be a start. Perhaps implrement
regulation on techonological goals rather then to force the
industry to adapt to prematue technology.
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