Nebraska Attorney General praises federal rollback that could halt electric truck mandates across the freight industry

Lincoln, Nebraska – Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is praising a major federal policy shift that could reshape the future of heavy-duty trucking and national freight operations. The move involves rescinding the Obama-era “Endangerment Finding,” a decision that federal officials say clears the path for rolling back regulations designed to accelerate the transition to electric trucks across the country.

The action, taken by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Trump Administration, directly affects the Biden Administration’s heavy-duty vehicle rule. That rule has been described as one of the most aggressive efforts to push electric truck adoption within America’s freight and logistics network.

Nebraska leads challenge to truck mandate

Nebraska is currently leading a 24-state legal challenge opposing the heavy-duty vehicle rule. State officials argue the regulation would raise costs, strain supply chains, and impose requirements that manufacturers and trucking operators could not realistically meet.

“This is a major victory for the rule of law and for the men and women who keep America’s goods moving,” said Attorney General Hilgers. “The heavy-duty truck mandate was built on a shaky legal foundation and ignored economic reality. President Trump and Administrator Zeldin have taken decisive action to unwind it and restore common sense at EPA.”

Heavy-duty trucks play a critical role in Nebraska’s economy, particularly in agriculture and logistics. The vehicles transport crops, livestock, equipment, and essential goods across long distances, linking rural producers to national markets. State leaders warned that the prior federal rule could increase transportation costs for farmers, small businesses, and consumers nationwide.

Officials supporting the EPA’s action say it restores authority over major climate and interstate commerce policies to Congress rather than federal agencies.

“Nebraska led the fight against Biden’s electric-truck mandate because we saw firsthand how damaging it would be,” Hilgers said. “Today’s action confirms what we argued all along: EPA cannot rewrite the law to force sweeping changes Congress never authorized.”

Supporters of the rollback argue that easing the regulatory push will help maintain supply chain stability and protect industries that rely heavily on diesel trucking. Critics, however, have warned that slowing the transition to electric vehicles could delay efforts to reduce emissions in the transportation sector.

For now, Nebraska officials are framing the EPA decision as a win for economic stability and legal clarity, while the broader national debate over energy policy, transportation technology, and environmental regulation is expected to continue.