Are You Kidding? California To Phase Out All Diesel-Powered Trucks

When you’re operating and maintaining an online magazine, you have a lot of contact with enthusiasts and readers around the world. With that being said, we get all sorts of messages or comments about things going on around the world. Our most recent submission in the suggestion box was the latest news out of California.

Apparently California is making a big push to phase out anything and everything diesel-powered by 2045. I did some research trying to find out more information as to what exactly they’re after and the results are, at least for me, annoying. Some of the quotes from these stories portray diesel trucks as if they’re intentionally destroying the earth one revolution at a time.

Per the San Francisco Chronicle, “In a bid to address climate change and scrub California’s notoriously dirty skies, state leaders are forcing an end to diesel-powered trucks. It’s a decision that can protect poor neighborhoods near freeways, invite other states to do the same, and push back against President Trump’s takedown of pollution rules.”

I’ll comment as I go through some of these. In my opinion, there is plenty of more reasons why the skies are dirty and diesel trucks are in no way the only reason for it. Out here in the midwest, we’re surrounded by highways and interstates too. What do they mean to protect poor neighborhoods near freeways? Are these trucks dropping off contaminated products?

Is this how they see diesel trucks? A scene right out of Maximum Overdrive?

The SFC continued, “CARB, (California Air Resources Board) with the backing of Governor Gavin Newsom is laying down a phaseout beginning in 2024 that will require emission-free trucks ranging from heavy-duty pickups to tractor-trailer behemoths. That schedule will lead to 2045 when all trucks will switch to electric.”

I’m not sure how it is going to go over with trucking companies but I can’t imagine it saving them money converting their fleet from trusty diesel-powered machines over the newer, more expensive electric models. When I think about this change, I think about maintenance too. Think about all of the OTR mechanics that have no electric training. This will not only cost the trucking companies but even the repair shops too.

I guess this change is inevitable but it’s tough to think about a world without diesel trucks. As I continued to dig, I found more info stating there were protests from fuel producers and engine manufacturers just like I thought there would be. “Electric trucks are going to be expensive and unpopular. They are not up to the tasks we perform,” they claimed.

Although I don’t have any experience with electric-powered trucks, I couldn’t agree more. Why don’t I have any experience with them? Because I can’t afford them. I am laughing as I write that. With California’s agenda to end diesel trucks and spread this word/vision, are you worried about the well-being of our beloved diesel engines? Do you see them fighting this in your state? Let us know in the comments below.

 

About the author

Artie Maupin

Artie Maupin is from Southeast Missouri and has an extreme passion for anything diesel. He loves drag racing of all kinds, as well as sled pulling competitions.
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