The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has announced an important change impacting the truck sales market in Massachusetts. Below is a letter from MRLDA Lobbyist Patrick Huntington outlining the details and what this development means for members.
Dear MRLDA Members,
On April 14, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced that it has exercised its enforcement discretion to exempt model year 2025 and 2026 on-road medium- and heavy-duty truck vehicles from the current electric vehicle sales requirement rule.
The department acknowledged the adverse impact this rule has had on the availability of diesel trucks and the uncertainty of federal support for the charging infrastructure needed to service electric trucks. This decision will enable Massachusetts truck dealers to resume the sale of trucks with internal combustion engines.
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this decision. Thank you.
Patrick Huntington
MRLDA Lobbyist
Massachusetts Bay Associates
617-922-0526
Background on the ACT Regulation Delay
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) recent decision to delay enforcement of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation for model years 2025 and 2026 offers significant relief to LBM businesses that rely on medium- and heavy-duty trucks for day-to-day operations.
Previously, the ACT regulation required manufacturers to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), leading some to limit the availability of internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks. This made it challenging for businesses to acquire the diesel-powered trucks essential for their operations.
With the enforcement delay, manufacturers are now permitted to supply ICE trucks to dealers without restriction, ensuring that LBM, among other businesses, can access the vehicles they need to maintain their delivery schedules and meet project demands. This temporary measure provides a buffer period for businesses to plan for future transitions to ZEVs while continuing their current operations without disruption.
In short, this decision will give MRLDA members more breathing room, lower costs, and more reliable options to continue operating efficiently and affordably.
What This Means for MRLDA Members
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has paused enforcement of the electric vehicle (EV) sales requirements for model year 2025 and 2026 trucks. As a result, businesses that rely on diesel trucks can once again purchase new diesel-powered trucks from Massachusetts dealers without restriction—at least for now.
Since the rule was introduced in 2023, it has already affected MRLDA members, with some reporting difficulties in purchasing new diesel trucks. In response, the MRLDA Legislative Committee, alongside NRLA Government Affairs staff and under the guidance of MRLDA Lobbyist Patrick Huntington, has been actively working with coalitions and Massachusetts legislators to advocate against the rule’s rushed implementation. They have also provided insights on its potential impacts and emphasized the need for more time to ensure a smoother transition.
We will continue to keep our members updated, and our efforts will not stop until a common-sense resolution is reached.