Los Angeles, California — The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to advance Assembly Bill 844, a measure that would compel the California Department of Insurance to compile and publish data on the availability, pricing and underwriting criteria for insurance covering zero‑emission medium‑ and heavy‑duty trucks.

The bill arrives amid California’s aggressive push to replace fossil‑fuel trucks with electric and hydrogen models. Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled the California Air Resources Board’s Clean Truck Partnership, a collaboration with the nation’s leading truck manufacturers designed to meet the state’s historic 2036 ban on new diesel‑powered medium‑ and heavy‑duty trucks. Without reliable actuarial data, insurers have been reluctant to write policies for the new powertrains, creating a choke point for fleets eager to meet the zero‑emission deadline.

Assemblymember Mike Gipson of Carson authored AB844, and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is sponsoring the legislation. The proposal mirrors an earlier Assembly‑passed bill that stalled for lack of funding. Gipson and Lara argue that the lack of historical loss data for electric and hydrogen trucks hampers insurers’ ability to price risk, forcing many carriers to accept partial coverage or prohibitive premiums. By mandating a systematic collection of cost and availability metrics, the bill seeks to eliminate those data blind spots and keep the state’s zero‑emission rollout on schedule.

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators who transition to electric rigs can expect clearer insurance options once the department releases the mandated reports. Fleet managers will gain insight into which carriers are willing to underwrite full‑value policies for battery‑powered tractors, helping them budget for higher upfront costs without sacrificing coverage. The data push could also stabilize premiums, preventing the steep hikes that the California Trucking Association warned could occur as insurers continue to treat zero‑emission trucks as “unknown risk.” OTR truck drivers planning long hauls will benefit from more consistent liability limits, reducing the likelihood of gaps in coverage that can jeopardize compliance with FMCSA regulations.

Industry Reaction

The California Trucking Association welcomed the bill’s intent but cautioned that insurers have already signaled a reluctance to fully underwrite electric trucks, often insuring only a fraction of the vehicle’s value. The association warned that without a coordinated data effort, insurance costs could surge, eroding the economic case for fleets to adopt zero‑emission technology. Meanwhile, several major carriers have expressed tentative support, noting that reliable insurance data would make it easier to plan for the 2036 deadline and to recruit drivers for the emerging market of clean‑energy OTR truck driver jobs.

Key Points

• AB844 requires the California Department of Insurance to publish insurance availability and cost data for zero‑emission trucks.
• Governor Newsom’s Clean Truck Partnership targets the 2036 ban on new fossil‑fuel medium‑ and heavy‑duty trucks.
• Assemblymember Mike Gipson and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara argue that data gaps are stalling fleet adoption of electric and hydrogen rigs.
• The California Trucking Association warns insurers may only cover part of a clean truck’s value, potentially driving premiums higher.

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