East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) have led more than 150 of their colleagues in a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, urging the Biden Administration to overturn its electric vehicle mandate on trucks, tractors, buses, and semis.

The final rule, titled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3,” was published on April 22, 2024.

“Heavy-handed, top-down environmental policies do more harm than good. Regulations like these raise costs for Americans, harm farmers and small businesses, and push our country toward greater dependence on China,” said Crapo. “We deserve a choice in the cars and trucks we drive, especially when the consequences of these mandates are so detrimental to the economic success of families, businesses, and rural communities.”

“The Biden administration’s mandate that impacts all trucks, tractors, buses, and semis would strain our supply chains, hurt our farmers, harm our economy, and increase costs for every single American. On top of inflation, poor economic conditions, and other regulations, this de facto EV mandate on our truckers, manufacturers, farmers, and dealers will hike the cost of groceries, utility bills, and everyday goods that American families rely on. It’s also a deliberate attack on liquid fuels – including homegrown Iowa biofuels – that are vital to our energy economic and national security,” said Feenstra. “I’m glad that over 150 of our colleagues joined us on our mission to overturn this burdensome mandate and maintain choice for both manufacturers truckers and consumers alike. This rule represents yet another attempt by the Biden administration to give more power to bureaucrats in Washington D.C., and I’m proud to lead the effort to oppose President Biden’s power grab. We must let the free market – not the heavy hand of government – work as intended.”

“ATA remains opposed to EPA’s current GHG3 rule. The current state of available zero-emission technology very limited heavy-duty charging refueling infrastructure an unstable power grid make post-2030 targets entirely unachievable,” said Henry Hanscom Senior Vice President Legislative Affairs at American Trucking Association (ATA). “ATA believes most effective path fixing serious flaws GHG3 is through legislative administrative means That’s why we welcome effort led by Congressman Feenstra Senator Crapo calling EPA withdraw unworkable rule review targets account operational realities trucking.”

“This final rule which encompasses heavy-duty vehicles ranging from delivery trucks school buses tractors semis would disrupt heavy-duty truck industry forcing broad adoption heavy-duty zero emission vehicles extremely aggressive timeline despite vehicles currently being less than 1% sales” lawmakers wrote According recent study it would cost nearly $1 trillion infrastructure investment alone fully electrify U.S commercial fleet which does not include expense purchasing new semis Additionally cost electric semi-truck averages over $400000 while comparable diesel Class 8 truck costs around $180000 meaning electric trucks cost average 122% more normal semi”

“Our farmers agricultural industry will be especially hurt by this new mandate According latest agriculture census U.S Department Agriculture there are 3161820 trucks including pickups over 1 million farms 3784743 tractors over million farms see higher equipment costs tighter margins due misguided rule These numbers also do not account small independent truckers trucking companies truck dealerships throughout U.S impacted Not only would this rule harm consumers but exacerbate consolidation effectively forcing small trucking companies out business cannot afford hasty transition electric hydrogen powered trucks” lawmakers added

Crapo introduced Choice Automobile Retail Sales CARS Act S.3094 October19 prohibiting EPA moving forward with EV mandate passenger cars trucks similar future rules limit availability new motor vehicles based vehicle engine type Crapo Feenstra led bipartisan bicameral letter Administration February urging withdraw rule

###