In brief: zero-emission truck weight limits, tax deduction and fuel prices

California sets zero-emission truck weight limits, congress seeks tax deduction restoration and fuel prices in the U.S.

Weight limits for zero-emission trucks in California

A new law establishing weight limits for zero-emission trucks has been approved by the California Legislature. This legislation, which amends a previous law, allows trucks powered by natural gas and electric batteries to reach up to 82,000 pounds of gross weight, with an additional 2,000-pound exception to account for the weight of batteries and other components.

The federal 2015 law already permitted specific weight limits for natural gas and electric trucks, allowing states to adjust these limits on interstate highways. However, there was some confusion regarding its application. The approved amendment clarifies that the weight limit applies to both the vehicle itself and the combination of the tractor and trailer.

Assembly Bill AB1953, introduced by Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua and supported by the California Trucking Association, aims to resolve confusion regarding the application of weight limits. Although the law clarifies that electric and near-zero-emission trucks can exceed the established limits by 2,000 pounds, there are concerns that fleets might face legal liabilities due to the current wording of the vehicle code.

The bill has been unanimously approved by both the Assembly and the Senate and is now heading to the governor for signature.

Daily tax deduction for salaried truck drivers

Six members of Congress have backed the Fiscal Equity for Workers Act, which seeks to restore the daily tax deduction for salaried truck drivers. Congress Members Robert Garcia, Zoe Lofgren, Ed Case, Doris Matsui, Nydia Velázquez, and William Keating joined as cosponsors of HR4963 on August 30, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 198, including 190 Democrats and eight Republicans.

Introduced by Representative Brendan Boyle on July 27, 2023, the bill aims to allow workers to deduct common work-related expenses such as travel and uniforms. With the proposal the daily deduction for salaried truck drivers would also be restored, which was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, although independent truck drivers can still claim it.

The Senate version, introduced by Robert Casey, has 40 co-sponsors. Boyle emphasized that this legislation will ease the tax burden on many working families by reintroducing necessary deductions to cover additional expenses. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) supports the bill, which is nearing a majority in the House of Representatives.

Average diesel price in the U.S.

Over the past year, diesel prices have significantly decreased across the United States, with a national average drop of 86.7 cents. The largest decreases have been in the Rocky Mountains and the West Coast. This week, the average diesel price is $3.635 per gallon, representing a 26-cent decrease from the previous week.

Regarding gasoline, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped 2.4 cents to $3.289, which is 51.8 cents lower than last year.

The average diesel price per gallon by region is as follows: