Washington state truckers are sounding the alarm over California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) mandate, arguing that it could seriously disrupt the supply chain if adopted in Washington. The program, which requires a progressive shift to zero-emission trucks, faces strong opposition from the Washington Trucking Associations (WTA), which represents industry leaders concerned about costs, infrastructure, and vehicle availability.
The ACT program, beginning next year, mandates that zero-emission vehicles make up 7% of sales for certain truck classes, with stricter targets rising over the next decade. WTA President Sheri Call recently urged Governor Jay Inslee to reconsider Washington’s alignment with the policy, stating that the state’s lack of infrastructure and incentives could cripple trucking businesses.
“Zero-emission trucks are two and a half times more expensive than clean diesel trucks and come with reduced cargo capacity and limited range,” Call noted. She warned that the policy could lead trucking companies to relocate operations to states without such mandates, resulting in supply chain instability in Washington, a trade-dependent state.
In response, the governor’s office expressed confidence in the transition, noting that efforts are underway to secure federal funding for electric vehicle charging stations along Interstate 5. They also highlighted compliance flexibility, such as credit-sharing across truck weight classes.
As the debate continues, the trucking industry remains concerned that the ACT mandate could drive up transportation costs, affecting prices for goods and services across the state. Trucking leaders are pushing for a more gradual approach that takes into account the specific challenges faced by Washington’s logistics sector.
