NJ Association of Pipe Trades (Locals 9, 24) joins efforts to delay implementation of electric vehicle regulations

The NJ Association of Pipe Trades Locals 9 and 24 became the latest major organizations to agree to an appeal to U.S. Sen. Nick Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to suspend New Jersey’s participation in California’s electric vehicle regulation until at least April 1. to be postponed to July 2027.

The group is calling on legislative leaders to pass S3817 (Patrick Diegnan – D) and A4967 (Clinton Calabrese – D).

The NJ Association of Pipe Trades was just one of a few groups that added its name to the letter. The others:

• Chauffeured Transportation Association of NJ
• New Jersey Mechanical Contractors Association
• NJ Builders Association
• NJ Gasoline C-Store Association
• NJ Green Industry Council
• NJ Motor Truck Association NJ Nursery & Landscape Association
• New Jersey School Bus Contractors Association

The ACT Regulation is currently scheduled to take effect in New Jersey on January 1, 2025.

The ACT Regulation requires that a certain ratio of electric trucks be sold compared to regular diesel trucks before additional diesel trucks can be sold.

While the burden of compliance lies with truck manufacturers, they also enforce them on truck dealers. In the fall of 2024, truck dealers in New Jersey report that they are unable to meet customer demands for new heavy-duty diesel trucks because they have not sold the required number of heavy-duty electric trucks.

Dealers say they haven’t sold enough heavy-duty electric trucks for one reason: No one wants to buy them relative to how many manufacturers want to sell, for several reasons, including:

• Electric heavy-duty trucks are three times more expensive than regular heavy-duty trucks.

• Heavy-duty trucks must not exceed a gross vehicle weight rating of 80,000 pounds. Heavy electric trucks weigh 8,000 pounds. heavier, so that for every ten existing heavy-duty trucks, an eleventh electric heavy-duty truck is required.

• More trucks require more CDL drivers at a time when the industry is struggling to fill positions.

In the letter, the group says it supports a move toward more electric vehicles — just with a different timeline.

“Please understand that we are not against heavy-duty electric trucks and some companies are beginning to use them in select applications,” the letter said. “But as a state, we are simply not ready for the demands ACT imposes, nor the costs borne by all consumers.”

A look at the groups encouraging lawmakers to pass the bill.

• Affordable Energy for New Jersey
• Associated Builders and Contractors – NJ
• New Jersey Beer Wholesale Association
• New Jersey Bus Association
• Southern NJ Chamber of Commerce
• Chauffeured Transportation Association of NJ
• New Jersey Chemical Council
• New Jersey Trade and Industry Association
• Engineers Work-Employer Cooperative 825
• New Jersey Fuel Dealers Association
• Garden State Seafood Association
• International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825
• New Jersey Mechanical Contractors Association
• Mid-Atlantic Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association
• National Federation of Independent Business – NJ
• National Waste and Recycling Association
• NAIOP-NJ
• NJ Air Conditioning Contractors Association
• NJ Apartment Association
• NJ Asphalt Pavement Association
• NJ County Association
• NJ Builders Association
• New Jersey Building Materials Dealers Association
• NJ Business and Industry Association
• New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
• NJ Coalition of Automobile Dealers
• NJ Construction Materials Association
• NJ Farm Bureau
• NJ Food Council
• NJ Gasoline C-Store Association
• NJ Green Industry Council
• NJ Motor Truck Association NJ Nursery & Landscape Association
• NJ Propane Association
• NJ Retail Merchants Association
• New Jersey School Bus Contractors Association
• NJ State Association of Pipe Trades (Local 9, Local 24)