Washington released from CA’s unworkable, unachievable emissions rules  

OLYMPIA — June 12, 2025 — The Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) today applauded passage of federal legislation that will roll back California’s electric vehicle mandates for the trucking industry. Washington state previously adopted California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, requiring manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles. The resolutions, passed by Congress under the Congressional Review Act, were signed into law today by President Trump and effectively makes Washington subject to the federal Clean Air Act – delinking them from California’s mandates.

WTA has consistently challenged the state’s adoption of ACT which imposed unrealistic and unachievable emissions and electrification mandates on the industry.

“California’s EV trucking mandates have been a disaster for states like Washington, and have caused real harm to the trucking industry, a key link in our trade-dependent state’s supply chain network,” said WTA President & CEO Sheri Call. “Washington state does not have the infrastructure in place to properly institute such a sweeping mandate like this, and the technology has not advanced enough yet to support the trucking industry’s rapid transition to clean energy. Our neighbors in Oregon recently opted out of these mandates for these same reasons,” she said.

“These mandates have imposed completely unworkable requirements on manufacturers, sellers and trucking operators, imposing huge costs for businesses and, eventually, consumers. This change will bring much needed relief to the industry and allow time to develop and fund a more realistic transition plan.”

Call noted that the industry is working with the Washington State Department of Ecology to help develop a better understanding of trucking’s unique challenges, share what the industry is doing today to reduce carbon emissions with available technology, and preview what’s on the horizon to further reduce carbon emissions while ZEV technology matures.

“We cannot overemphasize that additional time, investments and infrastructure is needed to make this work,” Call continued. “We will continue to work with lawmakers and regulators on a workable path to electrification, one that meets the industry where we are and provides reasonable expectations for adoption. Today’s federal action infuses some much-needed common sense into what is a very challenging and unreasonable regulatory environment.”

About the Washington Trucking Associations
Since 1922, the Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) has served as the unified voice for the trucking industry in Washington. Member supported, WTA is dedicated to advocating sound public policies, providing excellence in education, training, and information, as well as promoting a safe, dependable, and efficient trucking industry in Washington For more information, visit www.watrucking.org.