Opinion Pieces

This piece was originally published in The Washington Times.

Pushed by extreme environmentalists, the Environmental Protection Agency recently announced new emissions regulations for semitrucks set to take effect by 2032. While Congress and truckers both want to protect our environment, the practical implications of the agency’s overreach for small businesses and the broader economy cannot be overstated.

Trucks move a staggering $18 trillion worth of freight annually, and over 70% of freight in the U.S. is moved exclusively by truck. As was made crystal clear at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, truckers are essential to the American economy. What’s not as well known is that 96% of trucking companies are small businesses. These are mom-and-pop trucking companies in small towns and big cities nationwide. Like all small businesses, small-business truckers often don’t have the financial or technical resources to comply with overly aggressive regulations, especially those with no return on investment.

The EPA’s new heavy-duty truck regulations are certainly drastic; they require that 25% of all semitrucks sold by 2032 be zero-emission vehicles. The only technology on the market that even comes close to complying with these regulations is battery electric trucks, which are extremely costly and have significant operational limitations. This presents insurmountable challenges that will undoubtedly throw a wrench into America’s supply chain.

With this regulation, the EPA is effectively mandating EV semitrucks while overlooking the significant hurdles that small-business truckers will face as they attempt to comply. First and foremost, current electric vehicle charging infrastructure is woefully inadequate. A notable shortage of charging stations, especially in rural areas, creates a bottleneck for long-haul truckers who need reliable access to power. They don’t have the option of charging their truck overnight. Moreover, the energy grid itself is a concern. With the rise of artificial intelligence data processing centers already competing for limited energy supplies, the added load from charging a substantial number of electric trucks could strain the grid beyond its current capacity.

Charging time and hours of service, or HOS, regulations present another challenge. Long-haul truckers are bound by strict HOS rules that limit their driving hours to ensure safety. The extended time required for charging electric trucks compared with refueling diesel tractors will make compliance with HOS rules even more challenging, significantly reduce operational efficiency and scramble delivery schedules.

Range limitations are another significant concern. Diesel trucks can travel up to 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel. Current electric truck technology maxes out at a few hundred miles, necessitating more frequent stops, which further complicates logistics and raises costs. In cold weather, the situation becomes even more complicated, as battery performance typically declines, reducing the range and reliability of electric trucks.

The financial implications of the EPA’s regulations are backbreaking. The sticker price of electric semitrucks is more than double that of their diesel counterparts. Going from a $180,000 vehicle to one that costs over $400,000 is not feasible for small-business truckers operating on tight margins.

Electric truck advocates typically point to long-term fuel savings to justify mandating electric trucks. A comprehensive study by Ryder Systems, however, casts serious doubt on the supposed lifetime savings of these vehicles. Even if a small-business trucking operation somehow stays afloat, the cumulative costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers, leading to higher prices for goods and potentially stoking inflation.

As chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, a group of over 100 members of the House of Representatives who advocate rural America’s priorities, and president and CEO of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, we support H.J. Res 133, which would repeal the EPA’s Phase 3 Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles.

We also applaud the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning the 1984 Chevron case that expanded the power of the federal bureaucracy. This decision will roll back the regulatory overreach of unelected bureaucrats, restore power to those elected by the people, and prevent future regulations from being bent to the whims of federal agencies. The EPA’s regulations here are exactly that type of action.

Nobody, including truckers, is opposed to improving the environment. But the EPA’s misguided regulations on semitrucks will have significant unintended consequences, killing small businesses and raising costs for everyone.

Dan Newhouse represents Washington’s 4th Congressional District and serves as chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.

Todd Spencer serves as president and CEO of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, representing approximately 150,000 small-business truckers and professional drivers.