Dear MMTA Member,
Adopting the CA ACT would set mandatory sales thresholds of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV’s) starting in 2027. Effectively, this adoption would put Maine on an accelerated path to electric medium and heavy-duty trucks regardless of operational realities.
MMTA has been heavily involved in a coalition of industry stakeholders called the
Mainers for Smart Energy Coalition (MFSE). This group is being led by MMTA, the Maine Auto Dealers Association, Associated General Contractors of Maine, Maine Better Transportation Association, Maine Energy Marketers Association and the Maine Aggregate Association – but our members include countless other industry groups and Chambers of Commerce who all understand the downsides of adopting this policy too early.
We tell you this to let you know that there is a groundswell of support for our position that is not only coming from truckers like you, but from your customers and others in associated industries who rely on trucks for their livelihoods. There is strength in numbers and the MFSE coalition has over 15,000 businesses represented as of today – a list that is growing by the minute.
To be clear, we are not opposed to electric trucks. But we are expressing our concerns over what we see as flaws that can have serious (and avoidable) consequences for the supply chain and for Maine businesses, taxpayers, and citizens. In the interest of simplicity, however, here are the top three issues of concern:
- The Maine electrical grid’s ability to handle additional Medium & Heavy-Duty (MHD) Truck demand and the significant investments needed to ensure uninterrupted service;
- The significant investments needed to build out brand-new charging infrastructure for brand new (and unproven) MHD truck propulsion technology; and
- The much higher cost, reliability (range, cold weather climate, auxiliary power needed for certain applications, etc.) and availability of these new MHD electric trucks.
We know electric trucks are coming and we support voluntary adoption of technology innovations – but not mandates.
So what is MMTA doing about it and what can
YOU do about it? For our part, we are fully engaged in the Mainers for Smart Energy Coalition education and communication efforts. We will be submitting written and oral comments to the BEP, we have co-authored an Op Ed and submitted that to the Bangor Daily News and we have also made an appearance on the WGAN morning radio program earlier this week –
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN (11 minutes).
The MFSE Coalition has a plan to do more of this type of communication, as well as implementing a social media strategy aimed at education. The hope is that this education will drive action, taking the form of helping people like you submit comments so the BEP understands the importance of this issue to Mainers before they make their decision after August 17
th. To that end, the button below will bring you to the
Coalition’s Action Center where you can submit comments to the BEP with just a couple clicks.
The takeaways from this Action Alert:
- Make your voice heard by submitting comments HERE.
- Consider attending the August 17th public hearing at the Augusta Civic Center starting at 9am. Even if you don’t plan to speak, having a good showing of people who don’t want to adopt California rules is important.
- Share this email with people in your circle who will be impacted and encourage them to show up on the 17th and submit comments.
We would encourage you to reach out to
myself or
Tim if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Brian Parke
MMTA President and CEO
