Colorado Expands Access to Clean Trucks
By Becoming the Latest State to Adopt Key Rule
Denver, CO: Ceres and CALSTART join companies in Colorado to applaud the state’s Air Quality Control Commission today for adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which will grow the market for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles like commercial trucks and vans by setting increasing sales targets for manufacturers over time.
The ACT rule has garnered widespread support from major business interests, including more than 85 companies that signed a letter urging governors across the country to adopt the policy. Companies are eager to electrify their fleets to save on fuel and maintenance costs and meet their own climate goals. The ACT rule will help ensure sufficient supply for zero-emission trucks and vans to meet this growing demand from businesses in Colorado.
“The Advanced Clean Trucks rule will accelerate and guide the clean vehicle transition, helping to satisfy the strong market demand for zero-emission trucks and vans while sending a strong business and investment signal to companies and utilities to build the charging infrastructure necessary to support them,” said John DeBoer, Head of Siemens eMobility North America. “We applaud the Polis administration for finalizing this key policy, which will create jobs, protect the state and its key industries from the climate crisis and air pollution, and ensure Colorado is prepared for the economy of the future.”
“As a craft brewer with distribution channels across the U.S., New Belgium Brewing strongly supports the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, and we are grateful that the Polis Administration has continued to lead the way on clean air through clean trucks in Colorado,” said Katie Wallace, Chief ESG Officer at New Belgium Brewing. “The ACT rule will help us achieve our goal of operating a clean fleet close to home in Colorado, while helping our partners across the country transition to zero-emission trucks that will clean the air, reduce climate pollution, and continue to efficiently move the supplies we need and the beer our customers love.”
“The State of Colorado has taken a bold step in passing the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, underscoring the state’s commitment to a cleaner future, and joining a growing number of states that are focused on advancing a zero-emissions trucking market”, said Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Nikola Corporation. “Nikola looks forward to working with Governor Polis, state agencies, lawmakers, customers, and other critical stakeholders to advance heavy-duty battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell truck adoption throughout the state and providing the fueling infrastructure solutions and service to support them.”
Colorado is the eighth state to adopt the ACT rule, and the first interior state. Other states that have finalized the rule include California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. North Carolina and Maryland are also in the process of adopting the policy.
“Rivian applauds the Air Quality Control Commission’s vote to implement the Advanced Clean Trucks regulations in Colorado,” said Tom Van Heeke, senior policy advisor at Rivian. “With its vote, the Commission has ensured that Colorado will continue to be a clean transportation leader and a priority market for zero-emission vans and trucks. This is a win for both the climate and communities burdened by air pollution.”
“Highland Electric Fleets applauds the State of Colorado for adopting the Advanced Clean Truck rule, ” said Jane Culkin, western regional manager at Highland Electric Fleets. “The adoption of this rule represents an important step in ensuring that the State of Colorado is on track to meeting its emission reduction and air quality goals within this important sector.”
“BYD applauds the state of Colorado for adopting a standard that will contribute to cleaner air in the state from the plains and grasslands to the cities and the Rocky Mountain,” said Frank Girardot, senior director of communication at BYD. “As the ‘Official Sponsor of Mother Nature’ and the global leader in the manufacture of heavy-duty battery electric vehicles, BYD is committed to making products that will help slow the effects of catastrophic climate change and lower the global average temperature by one degree Celsius.”
“We fully support Colorado’s passage of an Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which will advance electrification, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit local agencies, businesses and school districts,” said Nate Baguio, senior vice president of commercial development at Lion. “A move toward the adoption of clean energy medium and heavy-duty vehicles addresses the climate crisis, provides a healthier environment and strengthens the state’s green economy.”
Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in Colorado and in the U.S. Because medium- and heavy-duty models are responsible for more than 20% of transportation-related climate pollution despite representing just 5% of vehicles on U.S. roads, clean trucks and vans are critical to meeting state and national climate goals. Colorado, for example, has committed to reducing economy-wide climate pollution by 50% compared to 2005 levels by 2030 and 90% by 2050, and to achieving a 100% clean transportation sector by 2050. The state is also working to transition its state-owned medium- and heavy-duty fleets to zero-emission vehicles no later than 2040.
Along with the strong corporate demand and new incentives to purchase clean medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the ACT rule is an important tool to accelerate the transition to electric and other zero-emission vehicles. The policy grows more impactful as more states adopt it, and the sales growth will serve as a strong market signal for the build-out of charging infrastructure.
The policy is also crucial to achieving environmental justice, because large vehicles are responsible for a disproportionate share of dangerous air pollution that causes health issues like heart and lung disease. Communities located near highways, major roads, and freight centers — which are often lower-income and communities of color — are the most heavily affected by this pollution.
“Colorado is leading the nation as the first state to adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks rule in the intermountain west. With this policy in place, Colorado will expand the market for clean vehicles to a new, essential region of the country.” said Alli Gold Roberts, senior director of state policy, Ceres. “We applaud the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission for adopting the rule and setting the stage for Colorado to achieve its climate goals. Businesses will now be able to work with the state to drive the transition to a cleaner and healthier transportation system.”
“The ACT rule is a critical precondition for a smooth transition to a zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty market. It will also go a long way toward advancing Colorado’s climate objectives for net-zero greenhouse gas emission reductions, improving air quality, and providing high-quality jobs for Coloradans. CALSTART congratulates Colorado in its achievement and leadership in moving to reduce diesel emissions from trucks across its communities,” said Alissa Burger, regional policy director, CALSTART.
About Ceres
Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.
About CALSTART
A nonprofit consortium with offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California and central Europe and partners world-wide, CALSTART works with 300+ member company and agency innovators to build a prosperous, efficient, and clean high-tech transportation industry. We overcome barriers to modernization and the adoption of clean vehicles. CALSTART is changing transportation for good.