Lawmakers unveil bill to boost natural gas truck sales
By Melanie Zanona, The Hill.
A bipartisan pair of lawmakers are seeking to level the playing field when it comes to how alternative fuel trucks are taxed, with the hope of getting more green vehicles on U.S. roads.
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) unveiled legislation Wednesday that would partially exclude alternative fuel trucks from the excise tax imposed on heavy-duty trucks that are sold at retail.
There is currently a 12 percent federal excise tax imposed on the sale of heavy-duty trucks. Natural gas-fueled trucks have a much higher initial cost, or incremental cost, than conventional trucks because of their technology and limited quantities.