Massachusetts is delaying enforcement of its Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule until 2027 — a huge win for commercial trucking in the state after the evaporation of new truck orders in the first quarter this year.
As Trucks, Parts, Service reported in March, Massachusetts was one of five states to implement California’s ACT rule on Jan. 1, 2025. First introduced last year in California, the ACT rule requires OEMs to sell zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) to gain access to credits to make corresponding internal combustion diesel engine sales. The rule has come under fire by trucking groups since its inception due to its requirements, with many dealer and state trucking associations citing the lack of demand for ZEVs as a barrier eliminating the sale of new clean diesel trucks.
The Massachusetts’ Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) action Monday is the first state acknowledging those challenges.
Under the commonwealth’s new enforcement policies, manufacturers that cannot meet sales requirements for ZEVs required by ACT will receive relief for model years 2025 and 2026, provided they make internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks available to distributors seeking them. MassDOT says this approach gives manufacturers more flexibility and eases the challenges dealers are facing, while keeping the state on track to achieve critically important emissions reductions.
[RELATED: Resolutions to kill California’s ACT and Low NOx Omnibus rules reach Congress]
Industry stakeholders are optimistic about the change.
“[Transportation Association of Massachusetts], in collaboration with over 50 trade associations and businesses representing end-users of medium- and heavy-duty trucks affected by the ACT rule in Massachusetts, appreciates the [Gov. Maura] Healey Administration’s efforts to address the significant impact of this regulation on Massachusetts businesses, municipalities and residents,” TAM said in a statement Monday.
“Given the current lack of necessary technology and infrastructure to support a transition to medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks in Massachusetts, the ACT rule, as it is implemented, has hindered emissions reduction efforts and impeded the ability of our private and public sectors to acquire the trucks they require.”
The association added it is eager to collaborate with the Healey Administration, stakeholder groups of end-users and manufacturers to continue its efforts to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
“Our hope is that going forward, today’s DEP decision encourages all stakeholders to work together to develop practical and attainable strategies for working towards the additional reduction of emissions from the transportation sector,” TAM states.
The enforcement change has support from local municipalities.
“Cities and towns greatly appreciate the MassDEP's exercise of discretion and its recognition of the market forces that are impacting the ACT initiative,” says Adam Chapdelaine, executive director and CEO at the Massachusetts Municipal Association. “Local leaders feel the direct impacts of climate change and share the commonwealth’s commitment to reducing emissions, but also must balance the realities of tight municipal budgets and the need to reliably provide essential services to residents. The flexibility is greatly appreciated as we work toward shared clean energy goals.”
But while Monday’s announcement is a short-term win for trucking, it does not eliminate ACT’s ultimate ZEV sales mandate in the commonwealth. MassDEP reported to TPS Monday that OEMs will still be required to comply meet ZEV sales requirements beginning with the 2027 model year.
Beyond this change, Massachusetts appears to remain committed to its ACT rule.
Established with input from the manufacturing sector, MassDEP states the ACT rule will improve air quality in Massachusetts communities, while also helping to reduce global warming emissions from the transportation sector.
[RELATED: How California and EPA regs could force ZEV sales in trucking]
MassDEP also states in addition to making ICE trucks available to dealers, manufacturers must continue investing in their manufacturing and distribution networks to ensure a smooth transition to electric trucks. “Massachusetts remains committed to making the transition to electrification work for all and will continue to advance our whole-of-government approach to support this transition in the transportation sector,” the organization states.
Massachusetts follows Maryland with delay
Massachusetts is now the second state to announce a delay in enforcement of the ACT rule this month. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced in an April 4 executive order his state will also delay enforcement of the rule by two years.
Maryland was initially scheduled to begin enforcement in model year 2027. This moves Maryland’s opt-in date to 2029.
In announcing his executive order, Moore also directed state regulators to create a working group to see how ACT can ultimately be implemented in Maryland and include industry stakeholders such as the state’s motor carrier association and dealer representatives.
“The current federal administration has held back state funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI),” Moore wrote in his executive order. “The Moore-Miller Administration remains committed to successful implementation of the state’s clean car and truck programs, but recognizes that temporary short-term measures are necessary to ensure the programs’ long-term success, including maximizing near-term enforcement discretion to ease compliance by OEMs and establishing a working group to study and make recommendations on how the ACC II and ACT programs can be successfully implemented in Maryland.”
