More electric trucks will be on the market soon thanks to this new rule for manufacturers. Here’s why.
What is it?
In 2021, Massachusetts truck emission standards evolved to align with California’s guidelines in order to push manufacturers to make and sell more electric trucks. Those standards apply to class 2b through class 8 vehicles and included two rules:
- Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) Rule – which requires manufacturers to sell lower-emissions engines to reduce pollutants.
- Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule – which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing amount of electric or other zero-emission trucks as a percentage of all sales.
Vehicle manufacturers can earn ACT credits by selling vehicles earlier than the implementation date or exceeding each year’s sales requirements, with the option to sell credits to other manufacturers. This can give an additional revenue stream to manufacturers who electrify early.
Since the standards changed, the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) made a few changes:
- In 2024, MassDEP delayed the implementation date of the HDO Rule from model year 2025 to model year 2026 to address the concern that there may not be sufficient supply of engines that comply with the HDO regulations.
- In April 2025, MassDEP also provided enforcement discretion under the ACT Rule for model year 2025 and model year 2026 provided that manufacturers supply internal combustion (ICE) engines to distributors seeking those vehicles, without restriction.
Percentage of Zero-Emission Truck Sales Required for Manufacturers Each Model Year
Model Year |
Class 2b-3 |
Class 4-8 |
Class 7-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 |
7% |
11% |
7% |
2026 |
10% |
13% |
10% |
2027 |
15% |
20% |
15% |
2028 |
20% |
30% |
20% |
2029 |
25% |
40% |
25% |
2030 |
30% |
50% |
30% |
2031 |
35% |
55% |
35% |
2032 |
40% |
60% |
40% |
2033 |
45% |
65% |
40% |
2034 |
50% |
70% |
40% |
2035+ |
55% |
70% |
40% |
To learn more about the rule and specific sales requirements, click here.
What does it mean for fleet owners?
The ACT Rule is a vehicle manufacturer sales requirement, not a fleet mandate. This means that you can continue to operate your existing fleet and purchase new and used internal combustion engine vehicles. The ACT rule does not in any way prohibit or restrict the sale of internal combustion engines as some manufacturers have claimed and includes numerous flexibilities that manufactures can take advantage of to comply.
However, businesses and fleet owners can expect to see more electric vehicle models available at more affordable prices as manufacturers shift towards selling more zero-emission vehicles, making the transition to an electric fleet easier over time.
What are the benefits of adopting this rule?
The ACT Rule promotes cleaner technologies in the trucking industry to improve air quality and public health across the Commonwealth.
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. As of 2022, transportation was responsible for 38.1% of the state’s emissions. Diesel trucks create disproportionately high emissions: They make up only 6% of vehicles in New England, but they create 22% of vehicle emissions. By bringing that number down, the ACT Rule can play a significant role in reducing the sector's greenhouse gas emissions.