U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) led more than 150 of his congressional colleagues in calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rescind its electric vehicles mandate for trucks, tractors, buses, and semis.
The EPA’s final rule, entitled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3” published in the Federal Register on April 22, will strain U.S. supply chains, hurt the nation’s farmers, harm the economy, and increase costs for Americans, wrote Rep. Feenstra and his colleagues in a July 2 letter sent to EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
Specifically, the final rule — which encompasses heavy-duty vehicles ranging from delivery trucks and school buses to tractors and semis — will disrupt the heavy-duty truck industry by forcing the broad adoption of heavy-duty zero emission electric vehicles (ZEVs) on “an extremely aggressive timeline,” they wrote.
“This de facto mandate does not consider the realities of the commercial ZEV marketplace or consider the ability for small businesses in rural America to purchase and operate these vehicles,” the lawmakers wrote. “Trucks must be affordable and reliable otherwise the intended benefits will not be realized. This rule will harm our families and businesses, increase our gas prices, and make us more dependent on foreign supply chains — particularly China.”
Rep. Feenstra and his colleagues also pointed out that America’s farmers and agricultural industry will be especially hurt by the new mandate because they would see higher equipment costs and tighter margins. The rule also would exacerbate consolidation by effectively forcing small trucking companies out of business that cannot afford the transition to electric- or hydrogen-powered trucks.
“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,” Rep. Feenstra said in a July 2 statement. “It’s also a deliberate attack on liquid fuels — including homegrown Iowa biofuels — that are vital to our energy, economic, and national security.”
Rep. Feenstra added that the EPA’s final rule also represents another attempt by the Biden administration to give more power to bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.
“I’m proud to lead the effort to oppose President Biden’s power grab,” he said. “We must let the free market — not the heavy hand of government — work as intended.”
The American Trucking Associations endorsed the letter, which noted that “affordability and performance for the trucking industry is paramount.”