Statement: Climate Mayors and C40 Cities Renew Commitment to Electrifying Transportation in Cities as the EPA Passes Final Emissions Rule for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

March 29, 2024 – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a final rule for the GHG Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3 rule (HDV rule). The new standards will allow cities to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles, eliminate harmful greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and cut fuel and maintenance costs.

The final rule will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles – such as trucks and buses – in model year 2027 and apply new and more stringent standards for model years 2028 through 2032. The EPA’s final standards for vehicles are critical for reducing CO2 emissions and are expected to reduce approximately 1 billion metric tons from 2027 through 2055 and deliver climate benefits at $13 billion per year through the rule.

This heavy-duty vehicle rule complements the EPA’s action to control air pollution from vehicles under its “National Freight Strategic Plan,” which will support the transition to electrify our nation’s heavy-duty fleets and reduce harmful pollution. By implementing this final rule, the EPA is driving the transition to zero emission fleets of delivery trucks, school buses, and more in cities.

Mayors are committed to cutting emissions from the transportation sector and increasing the deployment of zero-emission vehicles. Transportation emissions account for nearly 30% of total U.S. carbon emissions with heavy-duty vehicles accounting for nearly 23% of transportation emissions. And while medium-and heavy-duty vehicles only account for a small portion of vehicles on U.S. roads, they generate the majority of harmful emissions. This rule will further bolster the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) which support progress in zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle manufacturing, consumer adoption, and expansion of charging infrastructure.

By electrifying our vehicle fleets, we can impactfully deliver cleaner air and improved health outcomes in our cities – especially for disadvantaged communities who are disproportionately impacted by harmful pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses.

“The EPA standards for heavy-duty vehicles will allow our cities to take critical action to decarbonize the transportation sector, provide cleaner air, and improve public health,” said Kate Wright, Climate Mayors’ Executive Director. “Our mayors will continue to strive to reach net zero goals as soon as possible in their cities and towns in order to tackle air pollution in our communities and reduce the rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. With these new standards, cities can continue to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and meet our climate goals.”

“Across the US, mayors are taking action to cut pollution from trucks in their cities to improve air quality, support economic development, and meet their climate goals,” said Kate Johnson, Head of US Federal Affairs at C40 Cities. “The EPA’s final rules for heavy duty vehicles will help cities transition to cleaner vehicles, while delivering important health benefits to environmental justice communities by reducing air pollution along trucking routes. The sooner this transition happens, the better. Along with the powerful actions included in the IRA, BIL, and recent EPA rules on light duty vehicle emissions, the federal government is giving cities the tools to create a healthier, safer, and cleaner future for all.”

Statement: Climate Mayors and C40 Cities Support Another Step Forward in Decarbonizing the Transportation Sector with the Finalization of EPA’s Light-Duty Vehicle Standards

March 20, 2024 – Today, on the road to a zero-emission transportation future, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a final rule for Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles (LDV). We thank the EPA and the Biden Administration for this final rule and continuing to cut pollution from the transportation sector. Climate Mayors and C40 Cities look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to push for ambitious carbon reductions from transportation in cities while also providing low-cost mobility options and ensuring strong labor and job markets for residents.

The transportation sector accounts for 29% of GHG emissions nationally. This makes the transition to clean, zero-emission vehicles critical to achieving our climate and air quality goals —particularly for the wellbeing of low-income communities and communities of color who historically bear a disproportionate burden from harmful air pollution. EPA’s final standards will strengthen federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for passenger cars, reducing air pollutants, helping residents save on fuel and maintenance costs, and improving public health.

Local leaders have long been at the center of delivering innovative solutions to lower transportation emissions in their cities. Last year, 66 U.S. mayors and other local officials sent a letter to EPA Administrator Regan urging more stringent standards for both Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty Vehicles. While these final LDV standards are vital to cutting pollution and cleaning up our air, more will need to be done to achieve our shared climate goals.

As we await a strong final rule on GHG Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles that many of our members called for in February, we are excited to see the final LDV standards and know cities will continue to lead on implementing smart and equitable climate solutions.

“The EPA standards are a step in the right direction toward achieving progress in the green transition and improving air quality in communities,” said Kate Wright, Climate Mayors’ Executive Director. “Many cities are taking ambitious steps toward decarbonizing our transportation systems, and with support from the Biden Administration, we can continue to build on crucial local momentum and deliver for generations to come.”

“Mayors across the United States are implementing exciting projects to cut transportation pollution, create jobs, and protect the health and safety of their residents,” said Kate Johnson, Head of US Federal Affairs at C40 Cities. “The EPA's new rule will accelerate the transition to clean, zero-emissions vehicles in every city, and provide critical national support for the local action that will create stronger and healthier communities for all.”