Daimler Trucks North America, the country’s largest manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks, announced on January 13 that it will resume selling diesel trucks in Oregon after a nearly month-long pause. The company clarified in a statement that it would once again accept orders for new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles intended for registration in the state.
The sales halt had been prompted by a misunderstanding between Daimler and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regarding the state’s new rules for zero-emission vehicle credits under the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) program. Daimler’s statement revealed that the company had initially paused orders because it believed that credits for electric trucks would not be properly recognized under the program. However, after further discussions with DEQ, the company confirmed that its understanding of the rules was correct and that it would indeed receive credits for the vehicles it reported to the state.
The issue at the heart of the dispute stemmed from the newly implemented electric truck quotas. As part of the ACT program, Oregon and several other states are requiring manufacturers to sell a set percentage of electric trucks each year. For 2025, seven out of every 100 trucks sold must be electric, with that percentage gradually increasing each year. By 2032, the requirement for large trucks will reach 40%, while lighter vehicles will face even higher electrification targets. The disagreement arose over how these sales would be accounted for, especially in relation to Daimler’s sales of electric trucks.
Daimler, which is headquartered in Portland and employs approximately 3,000 people in Oregon, underscored the importance of clear and consistent regulations moving forward. The company expressed its desire for DEQ to provide “feasible, obtainable, and clearly defined” rules to ensure that businesses can align their operations with state requirements. The company also emphasized the vital role of commercial vehicles in Oregon’s economy, stressing its commitment to supporting customers, national fleets, and the state’s economy.
This resolution marks the end of a brief pause in operations for Daimler in Oregon and highlights the growing complexities surrounding state-level environmental regulations and their impact on businesses in the transportation sector.