SB 1213 introduced by Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes has since April been approved unanimously by each committee and both the Senate and Assembly Floor, and was passed by the Senate yesterday (Sunday 30 August) in a concurrence vote. Clean transportation advocates are now urging the governor’s timely signature to ensure affordable electric trucks that will benefit the trucking industry and communities hit by deadly air pollution.
The bill arrives at a critical moment for California fleet operators navigating volatile diesel prices in the wake of the Iran war and has received the backing of the Port of Long Beach and business groups.
The bill aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles by boosting a transparent, competitive marketplace that drives down upfront costs and maximizes public investments.
SB 1213 requires manufacturers to provide information on the price of vehicles as a condition of receiving state subsidies through California’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) and other state incentive programs. This will bring long-overdue transparency to California’s clean truck market and address pricing disparity which sees U.S. trucking paying more for electric trucks: The bill follows evidence which shows that electric truck prices remain high in the U.S. and have increased, despite falling prices in Europe.
Craig Segall, former CARB official: “Cleaner air, affordable goods, a fairer market, and lower costs for drivers. This is a win for everyone in the state, and should be the model for national action to get innovative clean shipping moving for everyone.”
Juan Roberto Madrid, GreenLatinos Sustainable Communities Program Manager said:
“GreenLatinos urges Governor Newsom to sign this crucial bill. Latino truck drivers are already being crushed by diesel prices that have surged over 40% and over $7 a gallon in California because of Trump’s Iran war — the largest oil supply disruption in history. SB 1213, with its core pillar of fostering a competitive market through pricing transparency, offers Latino truckers, small businesses owners, and fleets a leg up and opens the door for them to look at comparable hybrid and zero-emission trucks.”
Jakob Evans, Senior Policy Strategist, Sierra Club California: “Electric trucks are the future of American trucking, but right now, too many fleets are being asked to pay a premium to make the switch. California has an opportunity to change that by bringing much-needed transparency and competition to the clean truck market. SB 1213 will help bring the public health and environmental benefits of cleaner, more affordable trucks to our state. Governor Newsom must sign this bill to help California lead the way toward a zero-emission trucking future that works for businesses, workers, and communities burdened by diesel pollution.”
Abigail Medina, Director, Peoples Collective for Environmental Justice Action:
“Truck drivers and their communities deserve to breathe clean air. Especially in the Inland Empire, where we have half a million diesel trucks that drive by daily. Based on a report PC4EJ conducted, one of the largest obstacles for truck drivers to gain the benefits of electric trucks is the price. This bill is an important step towards more transparency for a just transition for truck drivers.”
