“Now an unelected group of powerful actors has opened a three-front effort to transform the nation’s logistics fleet from diesel-powered to electric-powered at a breakneck pace. This terrible policy is being crafted almost entirely out of public view. Nebraska is fighting back.” -Mike Hilgers, Nebraska Attorney General (WSJ Op Ed, Jan 17 2025)

If you expected the transition from diesel-powered to EV trucking to take place on the open road, think again. Instead, it looks like this systemic change will work its way through the court system.

Nebraska is leading the resistance to a forced transition on multiple fronts: in the state of California, with the Environmental Protection Agency, and via an antitrust lawsuit against four major heavy duty truck manufacturers.

Any regulatory changes, well intentioned or otherwise, have the potential to completely disrupt logistics and lives, and must be taken with a great deal of care and consideration.

In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner covers recent developments in the EV trucking transition:

Recent news that may alter the expected timeline for transitioning away from fossil fuel-powered trucking
Legislative exceptions that put California in a uniquely powerful position relative to emissions regulations
The odd ‘in between’ space the country currently finds itself in

Links:

Nebraska v. California: The EV Trucking Transition