by Hiroko Tabuchi, The New York Times
Highlights
The California Air Resource Board unanimously voted in a new rule requiring more than half of all trucks sold in the state to be zero-emissions by 2035
- This rule is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and establish California as an EV manufacturing hub
- 100% of trucks on the road will be electric by 2045
- The Inland Empire in Southern California has been exposed to high levels of pollution due to mass amounts of delivery trucks, reaching up to 1,200 per hour
- Due to increases in online shopping, areas such as the Inland Empire, that have many warehouse facilities will continue to experience emissions from diesel trucks
- Though diesel trucks only make up 7% of vehicles registered in California, they cause 70% of smog and 80% of particulate matter pollution in the state
- The removal of diesel trucks will eliminate 60,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, preventing more than 900 premature deaths and delivering at least $9 billion in public health benefits
Science demands that we eliminate the use of fossil fuels by 2030 to avoid worst-case climate impacts. The Climate Center’s Climate-Safe California campaign calls for clean mobility solutions, including a phase-out of all gas-powered vehicles to reach net-negative emissions by 2030.
Nina Turner
Energy Programs and Communications CoordinatorJanina is a graduate of the Energy Management and Design program at Sonoma State University with experience in non-profits that specialize in sustainability and volunteerism.
