California Republicans are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to rescind his order to require all trucks to be zero-emission vehicles by 2045.
Legislative Republicans penned a letter to Newsom on Monday, pointing to a fire last month that involved lithium-ion batteries.
Driving the news: On July 26, a truck that was carrying lithium-ion batteries overturned and caught fire on Interstate 15.
- The interstate had to be shut down for two days, which trapped motorists in their cars near Baker in 109-degree heat.
- While the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, the San Bernardino County Fire Department and other agencies came to address the fire, they were ultimately unable to do anything because adding water to lithium batteries would have caused toxic gas to emit into the air.
- They had to allow the batteries to burn out on their own.
The backstory: Newsom issued an executive order in September 2020 to implement the Advanced Clean Fleets mandate by 2045.
- That mandate requires medium and heavy vehicles be zero-emission by 2045, and drayage trucks at the state’s ports by 2035.
What they’re saying: “Unlike when a diesel truck catches fire, it is basically impossible to extinguish an electric vehicle fire,” California’s Legislative Republicans wrote. “Moreover, the batteries in an electric truck can weigh up to 16,000 pounds – making the removal of the disabled truck difficult at best. So the road has to remain closed until it burns out.”
- Republicans said the massive shutdown of Interstate 15 illustrates that California is not ready for the Advanced Clean Fleets mandate.
- Republicans added, “If one diesel truck carrying six batteries can shut down a major highway for 48 hours, what will happen when the highways are swarming with electric trucks powered by these batteries?”
- Lawmakers asked Newsom if his administration has a plan for responding to electric truck fires and strategies to prevent extended road closures. They also asked how his administration plans to protect communities from toxic fumes.
- “Public safety is not the only concern with this ill-conceived mandate,” they wrote. “With its sweeping requirements, many employers and residents in the state will be negatively impacted. Hence, we ask that you delay the implementation of your Advanced Clean Fleets mandate.”
