The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved significant changes to the state’s Clean Fleet Regulation in June of this year. According to the schedule shown at left, the new rules require truck manufacturers to produce zero-emission trucks starting in 2024, and allows for partial credit for plug-in hybrids.
We spotted this update on changes coming from CARB regarding increased maintenance requirements for diesel trucks owners, which is another way to spell “contractors.” The most immediate changes are requirements for new mandatory reporting for “large” fleet owners and brokers. The second, while a bit further in the future, will be extremely costly.
It does NOT require anyone to purchase these trucks (YET) but does require a one-time mandatory reporting for companies that
- Had more than $50 million in revenues in 2019 and owned at least one vehicle greater than (>)8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or
- Own 50 or more trucks with GVWR more than 8,500 lbs., or
- Dispatch 50 or more vehicles with GVWR more than 8,500 lbs., or
- Are a government agency with at least one truck >8,500 lbs, and
- Reporting is due April 1, 2021
If you want the nitty-gritty on the air agency rule, you can find CARB’s presentation on reporting requirements:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/200922presentation_ADA.pdf
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/200918presentation_ADA.pdf
Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Maintenance Program
This new program was required by Senate Bill SB 210, approved on September 20, 2019. Requirements are under development; implementation expected July 2023, and applies to non-gasoline trucks (i.e., diesel) with GVWRs greater than 14,000 lbs that operate on California roads.
This program requires all trucks to obtain and maintain a Compliance Certificate to operate in California.
To obtain a certificate as currently proposed, applicants must:
- Operate trucks with factory electronic onboard diagnostic systems.
- Submit quarterly compliance data showing :
- No malfunction indicator
- No active faults
- No permanent fault codes
Truck compliance data must be acquired and transmitted using the following methods:
- Awireless data transfer unit installed on each truck sends wireless onboard diagnostic data to the vendor’s database that is in turn sent to CARB.
- The truck driver pulls into a kiosk that supplies an electronic copy and content protection device – dongle – which the driver plugs into the onboard diagnostic system port. The driver returns the dongle to the kiosk and the kiosk sends the data to CARB.
- Truck owners use a third-party to download engine diagnostic data that is transmitted to CARB.
As outlined in the new proposal, there may be exemptions, including new vehicles certified to the most stringent optional reduced oxides of nitrogen emission standards which are exempt for four years.
Trucks without factory electronic onboard diagnostic systems must undergo twice a year smoke tests (PSIP) with electronic data submittals.
CARB plans to install remote sensing systems with license plate reading cameras in the San Joaquin Valley starting January 1, 2023. High emission truck owners will be notified and must submit diagnostic data showing no engine faults or a smoke test.
There has been a lot of debate about fees for a compliance certificate, and there is uncertainty about what it covers.
To see the entire CARB presentation on HeavyDuty Vehicle Inspection Maintenance Program status and requirements visit:
Questions regarding these CARB standards and regulations may be directed to Larry Rennacker of ArrowTek at 805.884.9134 or by email at [email protected].
