Businesses In New York Support Clean Trucks

Sign up for CleanTechnica’s Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott’s in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and/or follow us on Google News!

Recently, in my personal email I received a message about various businesses that signed a letter addressed to New York lawmakers to support the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule. Two proposed bills in New York would delay it. The letter was signed by the following businesses:

• Bollinger Motors
• ChargePoint
• Current Trucking
• EV Realty
• Forum Mobility
• Highland Fleets
• Ikea
• Mobility House
• Motiv Power Systems
• Nestle
• Nuvve
• OrangeEV
• Rivian
• WattEV
• Xos Trucks
• Zeem Solutions

Not living in New York or being there to witness what is happening personally, it is fortunate to have access to Ryan Gallentine, a Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, who answered some questions about the situation for CleanTechnica.

What are bills S.5931 and A.6359? 

These bills would delay the implementation and enforcement of New York’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule until 2027. It’s essentially a two-year pause on a policy that New York adopted in 2021 after extensive public engagement. The rule is designed to ensure that manufacturers begin offering more zero-emission trucks for sale in New York — nothing more. It doesn’t mandate that fleets purchase those vehicles, but it does guarantee that cleaner options are available in the market.

Who is behind them?

These bills are being pushed by legacy combustion engine manufacturers and some allied trade groups who have resisted zero-emission vehicle policy across the country. Their strategy is to delay action, state by state, through misinformation and lobbying pressure. They’re trying to test the resolve of policymakers in places like New York who’ve committed to modernizing the transportation system. This is part of a broader national effort to undermine clean truck standards before enforcement even begins.

Which businesses sent a letter trying to stop the bills?

A coalition of companies including Rivian, IKEA, Nestle and others sent a letter urging lawmakers to oppose these delay bills. These are businesses that are already investing in New York’s clean transportation future — manufacturing electric trucks, deploying charging infrastructure, and supporting fleets as they transition. They see these bills for what they are: a rollback of a forward-looking policy that gives New York a competitive edge.


Why did they send it?

They sent the letter because delaying ACT sends a damaging signal to the market. These companies are building facilities, hiring workers, and deploying capital based on a predictable policy timeline. Backtracking now undermines their investments and creates unnecessary market uncertainty. These are American companies trying to compete with aggressive global players, particularly in China and the EU, where zero-emission truck policies are already being implemented. Delaying ACT only benefits the laggards.

What is the Advanced Clean Trucks rule?

The ACT rule is a clean air policy that requires truck manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission trucks — starting slowly and ramping up over time. It’s not a fleet purchase mandate. It’s about ensuring that medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks are available for those who want to buy them. The rule includes compliance flexibilities for manufacturers and helps drive innovation, competition, and long-term cost savings.

How many clean trucks are there in New York ,and does that mean all-electrics or some hydrogen too?

As of early 2025, there are over 2,500 zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles operating in New York. That includes battery-electric trucks and some hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, though battery-electric is currently the dominant technology. And it’s growing — fleets across logistics, delivery, public transit, and waste management are all starting to adopt electric options, particularly in urban areas where air quality concerns are most acute.

What size are the trucks?

The ACT rule applies to trucks in Class 2b through Class 8 — so everything from large pickup trucks and delivery vans, to box trucks, utility vehicles, school buses, and all the way up to 18-wheelers. It’s a wide range of vehicles that represent a disproportionately high share of transportation emissions despite making up a small fraction of vehicles on the road.

How much more needs to be invested in clean trucks in New York?

There’s no question more investment is needed — in vehicle manufacturing, in charging infrastructure, and in grid upgrades to support fleet electrification. But the state has already made significant strides, including through its NY Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) and utility make-ready programs. There are several open proceedings at the Public Service Commission looking at new programs to help businesses expedite the utility service upgrade side of the transition. The ACT rule helps guide these investments. It gives both public and private sector players the certainty they need to plan ahead. Delaying it throws a wrench into those plans, just as momentum is building.

What benefits do clean trucks have over gas and diesel trucks?

Clean trucks produce zero tailpipe emissions — meaning no nitrogen oxides or particulate matter, which are linked to asthma, heart disease, and other serious health issues, especially in communities near freight corridors. They’re quieter, a fraction of the price to fuel, and cheaper to maintain. For fleet operators, especially in the medium-duty zone like pickups and delivery vans, the long-term total cost of ownership is significantly better than diesel. And for New Yorkers, that means cleaner air, lower noise pollution, and a healthier, more resilient economy.