Georgia Businesses Support EPA’s Proposed Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Contact: Noah Barnes
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371

ATLANTA – Fourteen Georgia businesses have signed a letter, alongside businesses from states nationwide, endorsing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3.

According to the letter, the proposed rule, which aims to tighten emissions standards for heavy-duty (HD) vehicles, will play a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and accelerating the transition to HD electric vehicles (EVs). The EPA forecasts that the rule would lead to 35-57% of new sales of HD vehicles being electric in 2032, depending on the vehicle type.

The participating businesses represent a diverse range of industries, including transportation, logistics, manufacturing, retail, and technology. They include:

  1. Blind Ambition Management
  2. Chism Strategies
  3. Cottage Garden Natives
  4. D-Smith Creative
  5. Exposition & Meeting Concepts
  6. From the Earth Brewing Company
  7. Hannah Solar
  8. Impact Energy
  9. Percussion Campaigns + Communications
  10. Powerhouse Energy 360
  11. Profitable Purpose Consulting
  12. Shades of Green Permaculture
  13. Solectrac Tractors
  14. Sweet Tea Consulting

Increased HD EV adoption promises to safeguard public health by reducing pollution in Georgia communities. Within the U.S. transportation sector, HD vehicles are the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, at 25%.

Currently, the U.S. is behind Europe and China in EV adoption. The EV transition will create opportunities for battery and vehicle manufacturing, positioning the U.S. as a global economic leader and creating jobs in Georgia.

Additionally, vehicle electrification can strengthen national security by severing American dependence on the global oil supply. The EPA notes that adopting its proposal could save $12 billion due to reductions in energy security externalities caused by U.S. petroleum consumption and imports.

“Heavy-duty vehicles account for a disproportionate amount of vehicle emissions and oil consumption,” said Ben Prochazka, executive director of the Electrification Coalition. “The proposed rule will improve air quality and public health in Georgia’s communities by giving a strong market signal that will accelerate the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles.”

“Due to our traffic and climate, which can get very hot, Georgia is prone to ozone pollution,” said Pete Marte, chief executive officer of Hannah Solar. “When it comes to reducing pollution, tailpipe emission from heavy-duty trucks is a good place to start. By going electric in transportation, we can achieve almost zero emissions. Hannah Solar is an example of a Georgia business that provides businesses with solar energy systems to charge electric trucks. Hannah Solar can help accelerate the heavy-duty trucking sector’s transition to driving electric.”

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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a non-partisan, not-for-profit group committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale in order to combat the economic, public health, and national security dangers caused by America’s dependence on oil. The EC works with a variety of stakeholders that represent the entire electrified transportation value chain, positioning the organization as a dedicated rallying point for an array of electrification allies. For more information, visit electrificationcoalition.org.

Amy Malaki

Amy Malaki is the head of policy and sustainability at SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas, pioneering global leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production and supply. Prior to SkyNRG, Amy was the associate director for the transportation portfolio at the ClimateWorks Foundation where she developed philanthropic investment strategies to advance a sustainable, equitable and low-carbon mobility system. She also pioneered the organization’s international aviation decarbonization strategy. Prior to that she focused on Asia business development at Better Place, a Silicon Valley electric vehicle network startup. She has a B.A. in Chinese and China studies from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international policy studies (energy and environment) from Stanford University.