Pain at the pump isn’t letting up – especially in California. Now lawmakers want to cut the cost of electric trucks.
The Assembly voted Tuesday, Aug. 25, to approve a bill that could help close the huge price gap between diesel trucks and zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The Senate has already approved a similar plan.
SB1213 would expand California’s hybrid and zero-emission truck and bus voucher program. Vouchers could cover up to 90% of the purchase price.
Lawmakers want to know what electric trucks really cost
Sen. Eloise Gomez Reyes, D-San Bernardino, says California needs to close the growing price gap.
Electric truck prices in Europe have fallen 27% in recent years. In the United States, prices have jumped 32%.
Reyes says those numbers show why California needs more pricing transparency.
Under the bill, manufacturers would have to disclose the suggested retail price for trucks and buses eligible for state zero-emission funding. That would give buyers and lawmakers a clearer look at the real price tag.
Reyes says truck pricing can be hard to track. Government subsidies can make it even harder to tell whether electric trucks are actually becoming more affordable.
“Unlike the passenger vehicle market, medium- and heavy-duty trucks lack publicly available pricing information,” Reyes said.
She said the goal is simple: Make sure public money helps bring prices down.
The bill would also expand the number of electric trucks eligible for vouchers.
The catch? Eligible vehicles must provide “a direct and meaningful benefit to disadvantaged communities.”
California would have to explore new financing options by 2028. Ideas include low-cost loans and guarantees tied to a truck’s future value.
The rules would cover programs funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the California Clean Fuel Reward, or the Clean Transportation Program.
Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City, said lawmakers need to know how public money is being spent.
“As legislators, we have a responsibility to spend the state’s money wisely,” Wilson said. “Including price transparency requirements for our heavy-duty vehicle incentive programs will help ensure the public has the information necessary to make informed purchasing decisions.”
Reyes said current rules leave lawmakers with too few tools to track the market and oversee the money.
SB1213 heads back to the Senate for approval of changes. The next stop would be the governor’s desk.
If signed, the new rules would take effect Jan. 1.
California puts $250 million behind electric trucks
California is already putting serious money behind electric trucks.
The state has $250 million available to help fleets buy electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
Applications are now open for the California Clean Fuel Reward program. The rebates are available statewide.
The goal is to make zero-emission trucks more affordable and put more of them on the road. LL
More Land Line coverage of California news is available.