OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
Truckers play a pivotal role in the U.S. supply chain with more than 95% of the trucking companies being small businesses, typically operating around ten or fewer trucks.
Mike Kucharski, Vice-President and Co-Owner of JKC Trucking, Inc., has issued a dire warning about what’s happening under the Biden administration, which is implementing “clean energy mandates.”
This will undoubtedly force many small trucking companies out of business, tighten trucking capacity nationwide, and lead to severe price inflation. This will have a devastating impact on the economy as well as poor and middle class American consumers.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced stringent “new emission standards” that aim to “reduce air pollution from heavy-duty engines and vehicles across the United States.”
“A new clean diesel long haul tractor typically costs in the range of $180,000 to $200,000,” Kucharski said.
“A comparable battery electric tractor costs upwards of $480,000, that’s about a $300,000 upcharge, [which] is cost prohibitive for the overwhelming majority of motor carriers.”
“This mandate is based on brand-new technology, number one, and they’re supporting green energy” above the economy, he added.
“I support green energy, but it’s extremely frustrating because it’s this new mandate that they are forcing… truckers are nonstop overregulated.”
Todd Spencer, president at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), said, “This newest announcement is a blatant attempt to force consumers into purchasing electric vehicles while a national charging infrastructure network remains absent for heavy-duty commercial trucks,” he said.
“Professional drivers are skeptical of electric vehicle costs, mileage range, battery weight and safety, charging time and availability.”
“It’s baffling that the EPA is pushing forward with more impractical emissions timelines without first addressing these overwhelming concerns with electric commercial motor vehicles,” he added.
“The pursuit of this radical environmental agenda in conjunction with an anticipated speed limiter mandate will regulate the safest and most experienced truckers off the road.”
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