Republican legislators in California have requested that Governor Gavin Newsom delay the implementation of the “Advanced Clean Fleets” regulation following recent and severe accidents involving electric trucks. These incidents, which involved massive lithium-ion battery fires, caused significant traffic disruptions and raised concerns about the state´s ability to handle emergencies related to these vehicles.

Assemblyman Tom Lackey led the petition, emphasizing that emergency response teams are not adequately equipped to handle the intense and toxic fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which can release dangerous gases and are difficult to extinguish. These accidents, one of which closed Interstate 80 for 16 hours and another that kept Interstate 15 shut down for two days, highlight the unforeseen risks in the transition to electric vehicles.

In addition to safety concerns, the regulation faces legal challenges at both the state and federal levels and still requires approval from the EPA for its implementation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has also scheduled a meeting to discuss the safety of lithium-ion batteries in accident scenarios, underscoring the growing concern about the impact of this technology on road infrastructure and public safety.

This delay in implementation could provide time to address safety concerns and reassess the state´s approach to a safer and more effective transition to clean fleets.