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Heavy-duty vehicle public fleet owners subject to California’s Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF)* regulation have new flexibility in meeting the regulation’s requirements along with streamlined processes for applying for exemptions. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval of amendments to ACF yesterday that will help state and local fleets continue introducing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to their fleets while “providing clarity, certainty and flexibility in ACF’s implementation.”
“Today’s approval of amendments to ACF – a critical component in the state’s efforts to achieve emissions reductions for a healthier future for all residents – keeps California advancing towards the cleanest fleet in the nation and provides flexibilities to help ensure a smooth implementation,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph.
The Board also voted to repeal parts of the ACF regulation applying to federal or private fleets, including requirements for drayage trucks, to reduce confusion for federal and private fleet operators. The amendments are expected to be effective before January 2027.
The amendments are consistent with the requirements of Assembly Bill 1594, which directed CARB to provide flexibility to most public agency utilities that use highly specialized vehicles in carrying out their work. Public utilities will have expanded access to several exemptions allowing the purchase of combustion engine vehicles when ZEVs are not available or do not meet the fleet’s needs. CARB also will move forward with modifications that ease the entry to ZEVs for public fleets. This includes extending the 50% ZEV purchase requirement by three years and delaying the 100% ZEV purchase requirement to 2030; extending the exemption for small fleets and designated low population counties until 2030; and ensuring all proposed compliance flexibilities apply to all government agencies, not only public agency utilities.
*Adopted in 2023, the ACF regulation set a pathway to phasing-in zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles into fleets to improve air quality and public health. As it was originally written, the regulation was projected to yield $26 billion in health savings from reduced hospitalizations, emergency room visits and respiratory illnesses. It also was projected to save fleet owners $48 billion in total operating costs through 2050. CARB withdrew its Clean Air Act waiver request for ACF because of the federal administration’s stated opposition to California’s authority to establish greenhouse gas and zero-emission standards for new motor vehicles. CARB said it is instead pursuing alternative means to reduce emissions from this sector.
In addition to developing cleaner fleets through ACF, the state is also actively implementing the Clean Truck Check program aimed at promptly identifying and correcting malfunctions of heavy-duty vehicles’ emissions control systems through routine inspections.
“While trucks represent only 6% of the vehicles on California’s roads, they account for over 35% of the state’s transportation generated nitrogen oxide emissions and 25% of the state’s on-road greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is a key component in the state’s efforts to meet national air quality standards,” CARB said.
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 Delays ZEV Requirements for Truck Fleets
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Heavy-duty vehicle public fleet owners subject to California’s Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF)* regulation have new flexibility in meeting the regulation’s requirements along with streamlined processes for applying for exemptions. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval of amendments to ACF yesterday that will help state and local fleets continue introducing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to their fleets while “providing clarity, certainty and flexibility in ACF’s implementation.”
“Today’s approval of amendments to ACF – a critical component in the state’s efforts to achieve emissions reductions for a healthier future for all residents – keeps California advancing towards the cleanest fleet in the nation and provides flexibilities to help ensure a smooth implementation,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph.
The Board also voted to repeal parts of the ACF regulation applying to federal or private fleets, including requirements for drayage trucks, to reduce confusion for federal and private fleet operators. The amendments are expected to be effective before January 2027.
The amendments are consistent with the requirements of Assembly Bill 1594, which directed CARB to provide flexibility to most public agency utilities that use highly specialized vehicles in carrying out their work. Public utilities will have expanded access to several exemptions allowing the purchase of combustion engine vehicles when ZEVs are not available or do not meet the fleet’s needs. CARB also will move forward with modifications that ease the entry to ZEVs for public fleets. This includes extending the 50% ZEV purchase requirement by three years and delaying the 100% ZEV purchase requirement to 2030; extending the exemption for small fleets and designated low population counties until 2030; and ensuring all proposed compliance flexibilities apply to all government agencies, not only public agency utilities.
*Adopted in 2023, the ACF regulation set a pathway to phasing-in zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles into fleets to improve air quality and public health. As it was originally written, the regulation was projected to yield $26 billion in health savings from reduced hospitalizations, emergency room visits and respiratory illnesses. It also was projected to save fleet owners $48 billion in total operating costs through 2050. CARB withdrew its Clean Air Act waiver request for ACF because of the federal administration’s stated opposition to California’s authority to establish greenhouse gas and zero-emission standards for new motor vehicles. CARB said it is instead pursuing alternative means to reduce emissions from this sector.
In addition to developing cleaner fleets through ACF, the state is also actively implementing the Clean Truck Check program aimed at promptly identifying and correcting malfunctions of heavy-duty vehicles’ emissions control systems through routine inspections.
“While trucks represent only 6% of the vehicles on California’s roads, they account for over 35% of the state’s transportation generated nitrogen oxide emissions and 25% of the state’s on-road greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is a key component in the state’s efforts to meet national air quality standards,” CARB said.
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.