Click for more. Well, less…
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today approved amendments to the state’s Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) and Zero-Emission Powertrain (ZEP) Certification standards to maintain the emissions benefits while providing manufacturers additional flexibility. CARB’s actions affirm commitments made in the Clean Truck Partnership, an agreement with the nation’s leading major truck manufacturers to reduce emissions from the trucking industry.*
“California’s commitment to cleaner trucks has created an ecosystem of programs and incentives that will continue to drive progress despite the federal administration’s unlawful actions challenging our state’s efforts to reduce emissions and deploy to clean transportation technologies,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “The amendments approved today provide manufacturers with flexibility, and we look forward to continued collaboration with manufacturers in efforts to reduce emissions, protect public health and ensure global competitiveness as the rest of the world shifts to zero-emission technologies.”
The amendments, as described by CARB “constitute minor changes with no significant cost or emissions impact, were developed in response to stakeholder comments include:
- Adding a “pooling” option for manufacturers to transfer surplus zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) and near-zero emission vehicle (NZEV) credits generated between states that adopted the ACT regulation.
- Permitting manufacturers to offset a portion of deficits generated in the Class 7-8 tractor group with Class 2b-3 or Class 4-8 group ZEV credits for each model year, allowing manufacturers more flexibility and to account for fluctuations in ZEV and NZEV sales across states and vehicle classes.
- Adjusting the minimum all-electric range requirement for NZEV in later years.
- Providing manufacturers increased flexibility on the order in which they retire credits.
- Modifying the communication protocols of the ZEV connector criteria for certifying zero-emission powertrains.”
Important for Health – CARB’s View
- Air pollution is a killer that causes heart and lung diseases, and cancer. During the last 50 years, California’s clean air efforts have saved $250 billion in health costs through reduced illness including reducing diesel-related cancer risk nearly 80%.
- Although California standards have dramatically improved air quality, the state’s unique geography means continued progress on vehicle emissions is required to achieve state and federal standards.
- Five of the ten cities with the worst air pollution nationwide are in California. Ten million Californians in the San Joaquin Valley and Los Angeles air basins currently live under what is known as “severe nonattainment” conditions for ozone. People in these areas suffer unusually high rates of asthma and cardiopulmonary disease.
- Clean cars and trucks are a critical part of the plan to protect Californians. If upheld, President Trump’s illegal rollback of the state’s waivers would cost Californians an estimated $45 billion in health care costs.
- If implemented, CARB’s programs would provide $91 billion in cumulative net relief and economic benefits to Californians between next year and 2040.
The Ongoing Fight
In response to illegal federal efforts to revoke California’s clean air waivers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on June 12, 2025. The order directs state agencies to assess additional actions to spur light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle adoption in California, and to deliver formal recommendations for additional actions to the governor in August.
- State agencies have started work in accordance with Governor Newsom’s executive order. The recommendations are being informed by a series of public dialogue sessions that kicked off this week.
- Despite the market uncertainty and disruption brought on by the federal government, California remains steadfast in its commitment to work with manufacturers to keep moving toward a cleaner transportation system while also reducing harmful and costly air pollution.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
CARB Amends Clean Truck Regs With Trucking Industry!
Click for more. Well, less…
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today approved amendments to the state’s Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) and Zero-Emission Powertrain (ZEP) Certification standards to maintain the emissions benefits while providing manufacturers additional flexibility. CARB’s actions affirm commitments made in the Clean Truck Partnership, an agreement with the nation’s leading major truck manufacturers to reduce emissions from the trucking industry.*
“California’s commitment to cleaner trucks has created an ecosystem of programs and incentives that will continue to drive progress despite the federal administration’s unlawful actions challenging our state’s efforts to reduce emissions and deploy to clean transportation technologies,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “The amendments approved today provide manufacturers with flexibility, and we look forward to continued collaboration with manufacturers in efforts to reduce emissions, protect public health and ensure global competitiveness as the rest of the world shifts to zero-emission technologies.”
The amendments, as described by CARB “constitute minor changes with no significant cost or emissions impact, were developed in response to stakeholder comments include:
Important for Health – CARB’s View
The Ongoing Fight
In response to illegal federal efforts to revoke California’s clean air waivers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on June 12, 2025. The order directs state agencies to assess additional actions to spur light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle adoption in California, and to deliver formal recommendations for additional actions to the governor in August.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.