North Carolina needs clean transportation policies
By acting on policies that accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks and buses, North Carolina leaders can ensure cleaner air and a stronger economy.
Transitioning trucks and buses from diesel to zero-emission alternatives is one of the most powerful opportunities North Carolina has to reduce climate pollution, spark economic growth, and improve equity and public health.
Despite making up only 6% of vehicles on North Carolina’s roads, trucks and buses are estimated to contribute over 60% of health-harming air pollution from the transportation sector. That’s why North Carolina needs to accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks now and address the disproportionate share of air pollution these vehicles emit.
Thankfully, North Carolina leaders are working to reduce pollution from trucks and buses by collaborating with other states, and setting important goals to increase the number of electric vehicles in the state. And with recent announcements from companies like Arrival, Toyota and VinFast who are setting up shop in the state, North Carolina is well-positioned to become a leader in electric vehicle innovation.
When it comes to tackling transportation emissions, analysis from RTI shows that adopting clean transportation policies for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses can make a big difference toward reaching the state’s climate goals. Policies like the Advanced Clean Truck rule can also improve the health of North Carolinians and provide billions of dollars in net-benefits to our state’s economy by 2050. The study found that improved air quality, health, climate and economic savings over the 25-year period could equal approximately $118 billion in net benefits to the state.
Local businesses also support common sense clean transportation policies. On June 3, 2022 a group of 30 North Carolina businesses and organizations sent a letter to Governor Cooper urging him to adopt these rules to help manufacturers and fleet operators capture savings from economies of scale, and provide more cost-effective pollution reductions.
Learn more about the health and economic benefits that electric trucks and buses can bring to North Carolina through the resources below: