California Rule Requires Companies To Move To Zero Emissions Fleets By 2042

On April 28, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously approved the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, the first regulation of its kind in the world that would require new commercial trucks, including garbage trucks, delivery trucks, and other medium and heavy-duty vehicles, to be electric.

Specifically, the regulation bans the sale of new diesel heavy-duty trucks starting in 2036 and requires all heavy duty trucks on the road to be zero-emissions starting in 2042. The rule also would require companies that operate 50 or more trucks to convert their fleets into electric or hydrogen models and achieve zero-emissions starting in 2042.

As Transport Topics reported, the American Trucking Association opposes the new regulation and called on the CARB to reverse course and write a rule that allows for more flexibility for businesses.

“California is setting unrealistic targets and unachievable timelines that will undoubtedly lead to higher prices for the goods and services delivered to the state and fewer options for consumers,” said ATA President Chris Spear. “As it becomes clear that California’s rhetoric is not being matched by technology, we hope the Board will reverse course and allow trucking companies the freedom to choose the clean technologies that work best for their operations.”

Find more resources about this rule from CARB here.