Sacramento, California (ZeroRig) – In a landmark move against pollution and in favor of clean energy, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has unanimously approved the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, setting a 2036 deadline for all new medium and heavy-duty vehicles sold or registered in California to be zero-emission.
This regulation works alongside CARB’s 2020 Advanced Clean Trucks rule. Together, they require manufacturers to produce enough electric trucks and fleet operators to buy them.
Market developments and the mounting urgency of climate change motivated the strengthening of the rule from an urban delivery truck requirement to a sales requirement for several types of fleets. This effectively necessitates even more from manufacturers, pushing them to stop diesel truck sales by 2036. This timeline, close to the state’s 2035 target for cars, sets an unprecedented standard for heavy vehicle electrification.
The rule includes different compliance timelines for various entities with state and local governments, and large commercial operators given earlier deadlines. Additionally, targets set before the 2036 deadline include state and local agencies purchasing 50% Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by 2024, and 100% by 2027.
By 2024, all purchases of drayage vehicles, trucks that transport cargo from ports to distribution centers, must be all-electric. CARB projects that almost half of all semi-trucks on California highways will be zero-emission by 2035 and about 70% by 2042, with the ultimate goal of 100% by 2045.
This initiative is particularly significant for Southern California, where the two largest container ports in the US are located. These ports, due to geography and heavy cargo truck activity, contribute significantly to poor air quality in the region. The shift to zero-emission trucks is expected to yield $26.5 billion in health benefits from lower emissions of dangerous pollutants, and an additional $48 billion in savings for fleets due to lower operational costs.
The regulation was backed by a diverse coalition led by environmental justice groups and labor unions. Support also came from public health and environmental organizations, electrical unions, business groups, and fleets. It is expected that the rule will encourage other states and even countries to adopt similar zero-emissions regulations for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
Source: Electrek