A massive vehicle ban is in effect. The law banning the sale of large, gasoline or diesel powered vehicles is in effect in a state in America. Washington State has followed the example set by California and implemented new laws aimed an increasing the amount of zero emission vehicles in the state. But the negative effects of the new law have been highlighted by industry stakeholders and insiders. Does Washington have the infrastructure needed for zero emission trucks and RV’s? California has always led the way as far as emission regulations. It is the most regulated state in the world after all.
What effect does the law have on the trucking industry?
The bill is part of a series of laws being passed around the world that governments have implemented after public outcry regarding climate change. The new generation have noticed the effect that fossil fuels have had on the earth. Therefore, after protests worldwide, the governments of the world have been forced to make some changes to the industries responsible for the worst pollution.
This change in perspective has led to a range of companies committing to zero emissions from their vehicles. And infrastructure being built around the world to support the electrification of our transport. But the concept might have the opposite effect on the heavy vehicle industry. Long distance trucks are heavier, which reduce load capacity, not to mention the recharge time for such a large electric vehicle.
Industry stakeholders such as Washington State Truckers Association CEO Sheri Call, have pointed to some truly worrying issues that might have been an oversight on the parts of the lawmakers. The upsides that EV’s offer the personal transport sector are clear, but the heavy vehicle industry such as trucks and RV’s experience a very different reality indeed.
Can Washington experience the same results as California?
The bill makes remarkable changes in what is allowed to be sold in the state. The new requirements put a stop to sales for some companies. As it requires companies sales percentages of EV’s to increase from 4% to 7%. The effect on the RV market will be huge. As an owner of an RV manufacturer pointed out that he is unaware of any manufacturer with any plans to produce an electric RV for sale. So RV sales in Washington come to a complete stop?
The EV market is not the most stable environment at the moment, yet the lawmakers in both California and Washington have passed legislation promoting the sales of EV’s. Meaning the government is doubling down on the EV as the way of the future, for all transport. This might need some further amendments and consideration to understand the broader effect on the industry.
Clean Car Law emission requirements in the Washington State Department of Licensing has changed the heavy vehicles industry in the state. The industry insiders have gone so far as to send a letter to their lawmakers in an attempt to get them to reconsider. As the change took place four months ago on 1 January 2025, the long term effects are slowly starting to rear their ugly heads.
Is this a step backwards for the lawmakers in Washington state?
The truckers association have mentioned that a lot of their members might just end up leaving the state. And with no RV manufacturers with any plans to change their production methods, we must ask if this is the right move for Washington State? With some American flops in recent history, the lawmakers in the US need to be careful of trying to change things too much to meet what is trendy at the time. What if the EV market is replaced by something else entirely? The speed of change in government can be an exhausting process, will this prove to be a mistake or can the industry adjust and adapt?
