Daimler Truck North America once again sells diesel big rigs in Oregon
The German-based large truck maker, which employs 3,000 people in Oregon, informed dealers last month it would no longer sell diesel internal combustion engine trucks in the state.
But that decision was based on a misunderstanding of new clean air rules, according to company and state environmental officials. A spokeswoman with the Department of Environmental Quality told industry publication FreightWaves that Daimler acted without verifying the information it received.
“Daimler did this without checking in or clarifying or confirming any of this,” she said.
Modeled on a California law, Oregon began phased adoption of its Clean Truck Rules in November 2021. Daimler misunderstood how credits zero-emission vehicles would be recognized under the rules, according to a statement from the company. Representatives of Daimler Trucks North America discussed the issue with staff at the Department of Environmental Quality, and the company announced the resumption of sales following a story by the Oregon Journalism Project.
The company released a statement Monday night.
“This situation underscores the necessity for feasible, obtainable, and clearly defined regulations, enabling companies to align their business practices accordingly,” writes Daimler spokeswoman Anja Weinert. “Commercial vehicles are vital to Oregon’s economy, and DTNA values the ability to support our customers, the fleets of this nation, and the state’s economy.”
The Clean Truck Rules seek to improve air quality by reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Under the rules, medium- to heavy-duty trucks are subject to stricter standards for emissions like particulate matter and nitrogen oxide pollution. Manufacturers must sell a certain percentage of zero-emission electric vehicles starting with the 2025 model year. For Daimler, that means 7% of overall sales must be electric vehicles, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. Daimler unveiled plans for a fully electric truck suitable for shorter hauls in 2019 and began selling them in 2022.
Oregon is among the states that have voluntarily opted to follow California’s lead in adopting stricter emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. In November, Oregon adopted rules to delay implementation of the standards. The trucking industry, as well, has sought to delay the rules until technology improves to make electric trucks more reliable.
According to FreightWaves, Oregon was the only state where Daimler paused diesel big rig sales. The company sells approximately 1,600 trucks and buses here per year.
In May, the company announced it would spend $40 million to build out its facilities in Oregon, after considering two other locations.
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