Unexpected Risks in EV Trucks: California Lawmakers Now Want a Delay in Advanced Clean Fleets Rule

California Lawmakers Want to Pause EV Trucks Rule After Battery Fires

A group of California lawmakers is asking Governor Gavin Newsom to pause a new rule for electric trucks after two big crashes involving EV batteries caused major traffic jams. These crashes have raised safety concerns about electric vehicles on the roads.

Lawmakers Ask for a Delay

On August 20, Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, sent a letter to Governor Newsom. The letter, signed by 20 other lawmakers, asks the governor to delay the Advanced Clean Fleets rule. They are worried that emergency crews are not ready to handle fires from electric truck batteries.

This request comes after two recent crashes caused huge problems on California highways. On August 19, a Tesla Semi truck caught fire on Interstate 80 near Nyack, California. The highway was closed for 16 hours while firefighters tried to put out the blaze, which reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees. On July 26, another truck carrying six lithium-ion batteries caught fire on Interstate 15. This led to a two-day shutdown of the main route between Southern California and Las Vegas.

Additional Safety Issues with Fires Involving EV Trucks

The fires in both crashes were very intense and hard to control. Firefighters had a tough time putting them out because of the high heat and the risk of toxic fumes. These incidents have shown how dangerous it can be to deal with fires from lithium-ion batteries, which can reignite and release harmful gases.

The lawmakers’ letter says that California is not ready for the new electric truck rule. The rule aims to cut down on emissions from trucks, but lawmakers believe it could lead to more safety problems, especially with more electric trucks on the road.

Legal and Regulatory Roadblocks

This call to delay the rule is just the latest problem it has faced. There are already several lawsuits against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Attorney General Robert Bonta. These lawsuits argue that the rule goes against federal laws, like the Clean Air Act. Also, CARB still needs approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce the rule.

Right now, CARB cannot enforce the rule until it gets the EPA waiver. If the waiver is granted, any trucks bought after the rule’s start date of January 1, 2024, that don’t meet the zero-emission requirement will need to be removed from service.

Federal Focus on EV Trucks Battery Safety

The timing of these crashes is notable because the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is set to hold a virtual meeting on August 27 to discuss EV battery safety. The meeting will cover how to handle fires and other issues with electric vehicles.

These recent events show a need for better safety measures as the country moves toward more electric vehicles. The outcomes of the DOT meeting and ongoing lawsuits will likely impact the future of California’s Advanced Clean Fleets rule.

As the debate continues, finding a balance between environmental goals and safety on the road is essential.