BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) – Some New York truckers are calling on state lawmakers to pump the brakes on new industry regulations that take effect next year.

These drivers said that Albany set unattainable goals and lacked the support and resources to achieve them. This all revolves around the state’s advanced clean truck regulations. They were passed in 2021 and require that a percentage of 2,025 trucks sold in New York be “zero-emission vehicles.”

The percentage increases each year over the next decade. Members of the trucking industry held a meeting Thursday to request changes to the requirements.

We spoke with truck drivers fueling up in Cheektowaga who heard about the requirements.

“It’s just not feasible,” Tyrone Stinson said. “It would cost too much money to integrate systems like that when you just need to use diesel fuel to make things work in America.”

Another concern Stinson has is the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle.

“Truck drivers have deadlines where they have to be somewhere where they only have limited driving time and if you have driving time and say it takes an hour or two hours to recharge your battery, it “It’s time the truck didn’t just sit there anymore,” he explained.

He also worries about the use of electric trucks in winter.

The Trucking Association of New York and industry members echoed those same concerns Thursday and called on the state to change its timeline and requirements.

“Unfortunately, this regulation could threaten the progress we have made on environmental initiatives,” said Kendra Hems, president of the Trucking Association of New York.

She said the industry has already taken steps to reduce emissions from heavy-duty trucks and as a result, the industry has seen a reduction in pollutants of almost 99 percent.

Hem said that while they support the transition to zero emissions, New York’s mandates for Advanced Clean Truck are too aggressive.

“We do not have infrastructure in New York State to support the use of these vehicles. The average operating range of a heavy-duty electric truck is approximately 280 miles and since adoption of the rule in 2021, New York has not installed any heavy-duty chargers,” Hems said.

She also said cost was a major concern, with the average price of a new clean diesel truck ranging from $180,000 to $200,000 and an electric truck nearly $500,000.

NYSDEC released the following statement: