Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 7.

Under present law, a freight motor vehicle is generally prohibited from being operated over, on, or upon the public highways of this state if the total weight on a single axle, or any group of axles, exceeds certain weight limitations. However, to the extent required by federal law, present law authorizes a vehicle operated by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas to exceed such vehicle weight limits, up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds, by an amount that is equal to the difference between the following:<br /> <br /> (1) The weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle; and<br /> <br /> (2) The weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system.<br /> <br /> However, the exception above only applies when a vehicle is operating on the interstate highway system or within terminals and facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest with reasonable access to and from the interstate highway system. <br /> <br /> This bill extends the exception to vehicles operated by electric motors. This bill rewrites (1) above, such that a vehicle operated by electric motors can exceed the vehicle weight limits, up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds, by an amount that is equal to the difference between the batteries used to power the electric motors and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system.<br /> <br /> ON FEBRUARY 13, 2023, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 210, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill such that a vehicle operated by an engine powered primarily by means of electric battery power can exceed the vehicle weight limits, up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds, by an amount that is equal to the difference between the electric batteries used to power the vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system. <br />