Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, March 11, 2025:
Pennsylvania fleet, WSTA, other orgs sue EPA over CARB waiver
H.R. Ewell, a nearly 300-truck fleet based in East Earl, Pennsylvania, is among a handful of entities that have filed a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant a waiver allowing California’s “Omnibus” Low-NOx Regulation for heavy-duty trucks to go into effect.
Represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation, other petitioners with H.R. Ewell include the Western States Trucking Association, California Fuels and Convenience Alliance, California Asphalt Pavement Association, New York Construction Materials Association, and the Associated General Contractors of New York State.
The California Air Resources Board’s Omnibus Low-NOx reg raises NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions standards and included new requirements for test procedures, regulatory useful life, and emissions warranties. The rule built upon the EPA's own heavy-duty NOx regulation finalized in 2022 for model year 2027 and beyond. CARB's rule, when approved in 2020, was set to take effect with model year 2024. EPA announced its approval of the waiver in December and officially published the waiver on Jan. 6.
The Pacific Legal Foundation called the Omnibus regs “new draconian standards” that “will usher in dramatic cost hikes for new trucks and replacement engines.”
“Any price increase would devastate the narrow profit margins of companies like H.R. Ewell, which replaces 20 to 40 trucks per year just to maintain its fleet,” the organization added. “And with no substantive limits on California’s power, Calvin Ewell worries that California regulators won’t stop until they altogether outlaw internal combustion engines.”
The petitioners argue that California should not have the power to set emissions standards that are enforceable in other states. “Handing state governments, or anyone else, such power violates the constitutional principle known as the nondelegation doctrine,” PLF said.
The petition seeks to declare EPA’s waiver as unlawful; to “vacate, enjoin and set aside” the waiver; and provide other relief as the court sees appropriate.
[Related: New bill in Senate would repeal, replace emissions regs, revoke Calif. waivers]
NYC looks to expand weigh-in-motion tech
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) earlier this mont released a new report that found that the number of overweight vehicles on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE) dropped 60% after NYC deployed weigh-in-motion (WIM) technology that uses roadway weight sensors to issue violations to overweight vehicles.
A state law passed in 2021 granted NYC DOT the authority to use WIM technology on the half-mile section of the BQE in downtown Brooklyn, known as ‘BQE Central.’ The law, Chapter 773 of 2021, will sunset on Dec. 1, 2025, and NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez is eyeing reauthorization and expansion of its use to other infrastructure statewide.
"Our nation-leading weigh-in-motion technology continues to prove effective and efficient for keeping overweight trucks off of the BQE," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "We're hopeful this progress makes the case for wider adoption of these in ground sensors to protect roads and bridges across the state. Thank you to our state and local elected officials for enabling this impactful program."
The system is currently active in the Queens-bound direction and will be expanded to include the Staten Island-bound direction in 2025, further protecting the roadway.
Given the success of the technology, NYC DOT is seeking broader legislative authority to allow WIM systems elsewhere in New York State. Among possible infrastructure being targeted by NYC DOT for WIM technology is the Washington Bridge over the Harlem River, which connects Washington Heights to Highbridge in the Bronx, which is also a designated local truck route.
Expanding the system will help reinforce existing vehicle weight restrictions citywide and protect additional pieces of critical infrastructure, the department said.
[Related: NYC cracking down on overweight trucks with automated weigh-in-motion enforcement]
Orange EV unveils comprehensive 7.5-year warranty
Electric terminal truck manufacturer Orange EV has introduced a new 7.5-year warranty covering battery, powertrain and electric components, representing the most comprehensive coverage in the industry, the company said.
Common warranties for terminal trucks max out at 1-2 years or 6,000 hours, Orange EV noted, but its coverage now extends to 7.5 years and 30,000 hours.
Orange EV trucks have been in commercial operation since 2015, logging nearly 8 million cumulative miles of operation with individual trucks exceeding 30,000 hours of operation, outlasting the typical lifespan of many diesel yard trucks.
"Delivering the highest quality terminal trucks has always been our priority," said Kurt Neutgens, President and CTO of Orange EV. "Our new warranty isn't just an extension of coverage, it's a testament to our track record and a commitment to fleets that uptime, cost savings, and long-term performance are built into every truck."
Orange EV's 7.5-year extended warranty coverage spans critical systems including the powertrain, motors, controllers, wire harnesses, cables, and key electric components.
[Related: Electric truck maker debuts new truck for port operations]
