Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
nbarnes@electrificationcoalition.org, (202) 461-2371
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.—A group of 17 business leaders have signed on to a letter urging Governor J. B. Pritzker to accelerate the transition to electric medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles by adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Heavy-Duty Omnibus (HDO) rules. These rules require manufacturers to sell an increasing number of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks in Illinois while establishing strong yet feasible air pollution standards for new fossil fuel trucks.
The coalition of businesses is also encouraging the governor to join other states and governors by joining 17 other states, D.C. and Quebec in signing the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate commitments and action for clean trucks and buses.
Electric trucks and buses can lead to increased consumer savings, as fossil fuel prices are unpredictable and volatile, while electricity prices remain largely low and stable. Transitioning to electric MHD vehicles also makes Illinois residents safer by reducing the national security risks associated with our dependence on oil for transportation.
MHD vehicles account for less than 10% of all vehicles on the road but contribute over one-third of the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. Zero-emission MHD vehicles will improve air quality, particularly in areas exposed to high levels of exhaust from trucks and buses, and help Illinois meet its climate goals.
“States are moving swiftly to adopt the Advanced Clean Truck regulations, which ensures they are at the front of the line for deployment of zero-emission vans, trucks, and other larger vehicles,” said Chris Nevers, senior director of public policy for Rivian, an EV manufacturer which employs 6,680 workers in Normal, Illinois producing trucks, SUVs and delivery vans for Amazon. “This policy is a crucial next step to ensuring Illinois’ continued leadership in clean transportation, and Rivian strongly supports its adoption.”
“Lion Electric is proud that once it’s completed, our 900,000 square-feet manufacturing facility in Joliet, Illinois, will build up to 20,000 medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles (MHDVs). Not only does this signify our commitment to the State of Illinois, but also to accelerating the production of clean truck fleets, creating new and well-paying jobs and addressing critical climate change,” said Nate A. Baguio, senior vice president of commercial development with Lion Electric. “We fully support the Electrification Coalition, CALSTART and other partners in asking Illinois to join other states in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance the transition to zero-emission MHDVs.”
“Illinois has been a climate leader through the enactment of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act of 2021 and the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act of 2021,” said Ben Prochazka, executive director of the Electrification Coalition. “We hope Governor Pritzker will further commit Illinois to ensure we reduce oil’s monopoly on our transportation systems.”
“Illinois has always been a national hub for freight and goods distribution, and has all the ingredients to continue its leadership on transportation electrification issues. Adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks is a critical step to ensure this vital part of the state’s economy continues to grow while improving the health and well-being of the state’s residents,” said Ryan Gallentine, policy director for electrifying transportation for Advanced Energy Economy.
The businesses that have signed on include:
- ABB E-mobility Inc.
- Arrival
- Blackrock Consulting
- BP Pulse Fleets
- ChargePoint
- EVBox
- EVgo
- Highland Electric Fleets
- Lightning eMotors
- The Lion Electric Company
- Nuvve
- Proterra
- REE
- Rivian
- Whitney Architects
- WindSolar USA
- Workhorse Group Inc.
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org