Hello, my name is Steven King and I represent Environment
California as the Clean Energy Advocate. I’m speaking today
in support of CARB’s alternative plan to bring more electric
trucks to the road faster. We’re in favor of making this plan
as strong as possible to better address dangerous polluting trucks
on our roads throughout California.
On a daily basis, Californians are burdened with the most
polluted air in the country. Communities near warehouses, highways
and other hotspots of truck activity face the worst of this harmful
pollution. Nobody in this state should have to suffer the numerous
health impacts from constant exposure to diesel exhaust pollution
when we have the ability to address this alarming problem through
bold regulatory policy.
This board can bring polluting trucks into the future and
achieve clean air for all by adopting an Advanced Clean Fleet
Accelerated ZEV Transition Alternative that hits 100% electric
truck sales by 2036 and reduces the truck threshold from 50 to 10.
Electric truck technology is here today, and we already have the
strategies and funding to grow charging options in order to meet
this alternative’s reasonable and gradual goals.
Your own research shows that we will achieve greater pollution
reductions, save more lives, and achieve $10 billion more in
additional societal benefits by moving up the 100% electric truck
sales goal by just four years. These benefits will meaningfully
improve the lives of all Californians, especially those who live
near warehouses and logistics centers who are suffering the most
from rising freight emissions.
We’re running out of time to take bold action on climate
change, which is already impacting us through more frequent and
intense wildfires, droughts, and heat waves. To avoid the worst
global warming impacts, we need to transition our transportation
sector away from dirty fossil fuels as quickly as possible. Cars
and trucks are the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in
the state, so it is critical that we move up the deadline for 100%
electric truck sales. Setting this bold target better reflects the
pace of technological and market advancements while sending a clear
signal that will prime investment for deploying clean trucks at
scale. The ACF rule will provide overwhelming public health,
economic, and climate benefits, and will add significant momentum
to the ongoing ZEV transition.
That is why I respectfully call on you, Chair Randolph and
members of the Air Resources Board, to do your duty and accelerate
the transition to clean trucks and get more clean air benefits for
the hardest-hit communities faster. Thank you for your time.