For logistics professionals operating in California, adhering to the state's stringent environmental regulations is paramount. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) continues to implement and update measures aimed at reducing emissions and promoting cleaner transportation. CARB regulations are widely regarded as some of the toughest environmental standards in the United States. This article provides an overview of current CARB requirements and highlights new regulations set to take effect in the near future.

Existing CARB Regulations Affecting Transportation

Truck and Bus Regulation

The Truck and Bus Regulation, established by CARB in 2008, targets the reduction of greenhouse gases and diesel particulate matter emissions. It applies to all diesel trucks and buses operating within California with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds.

As of January 1, 2023, vehicles with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds are required to have 2010 or newer engines to operate legally in California. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) enforces this by denying registration to non-compliant vehicles.

Operators must register their vehicles with CARB's Truck Regulation Upload, Compliance, and Reporting System (TRUCRS). Exceptions exist for trucks operating less than 1,000 miles annually within California (which can qualify for the "low-use exemption”) and for those obtaining a "three-day pass" allowing limited operation within the state.

Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) Regulation

Diesel-fueled Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs) installed on trucks must comply with specific CARB requirements to reduce emissions. For TRU engines under 25 horsepower, model year 2013 and newer, these units must meet the Ultra-Low Emission TRU (ULETRU) in-use standard by the end of the seventh year following their engine's model year. In contrast, TRU engines between 25 and 50 horsepower from the same model years already meet ULETRU standards and have no additional compliance requirements.

CARB has introduced amendments to the TRU regulation to further reduce emissions:

• Refrigerants: As of December 31, 2022, new TRUs must use refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) less than 2,200.
• Emission Standards: Model year 2023 and newer TRUs are required to meet lower particulate emission standards in line with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
• Facility Reporting: As of December 31, 2023, owners of facilities where TRUs operate (e.g., refrigerated warehouses, grocery stores) must register with CARB, pay fees every three years, and report all TRUs operating at their facility.
• TRU Owner Reporting: TRU owners must report all TRUs operating in California to CARB, pay operating fees, and affix compliance labels every three years.
• Zero-Emission Transition: TRU owners are required to transition at least 15% of their truck TRU fleet to zero-emission technology each year as of December 31, 2023, with all truck TRUs operating in California required to be zero-emission by December 31, 2029.

CARB Regulations in 2025 and Beyond

Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation

The ACT regulation applies to truck manufacturers. It mandates that these manufacturers increase the sales of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) starting with the 2024 model year.

The percentage of new sales of Class 8 tractor and Class 6-8 rigid trucks that must be ZEVs will increase as follows: 7% (2025), 10% (2026), and 15% (2027). Fleet owners may still purchase internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles without seeking special exemptions if the vehicle configuration is included on the ZEV Purchase Exemption List. This list accommodates situations where specific vehicle types or configurations are not yet available as ZEVs or near-zero emission vehicles (NZEVs).

Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) Rule

The ACF rule, approved by CARB in April 2023, applies to trucking fleets. The Rule aims to transition medium- and heavy-duty fleets to zero-emission technologies. Key provisions include:

Drayage Trucks: As of January 1, 2024, newly registered drayage trucks must be zero-emission. Existing internal combustion engine drayage trucks can operate until 2035, after which all drayage trucks must be zero-emission.

High-Priority and Federal Fleets: “High Priority Fleets” - fleets with 50 or more trucks, or those owned by entities with $50 million or more in annual revenue, must comply with the Rule’s Model Year Schedule or the ZEV Milestone option.

• Model Year Schedule: Requires fleet owners to purchase only ZEVs starting in 2024 and mandates the removal of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles at the end of their useful life beginning January 1, 2025.
• ZEV Milestone Option: Allows fleet owners to meet ZEV targets as a percentage of their total fleet, starting with vehicle types most suitable for electrification, providing an alternative to the Model Year Schedule.

Clean Truck Check

The Clean Truck Check program focuses on ensuring that heavy-duty vehicles operating in California maintain properly functioning emissions control systems. It involves periodic emissions compliance testing and reporting requirements for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds. The program applies to both in-state and out-of-state vehicles operating on California roads.

Make sure your 3PL provider is compliant with CARB regulations

Companies that hire trucks for use in California are responsible for verifying that the trucks of the carriers they hire are compliant with CARB regulations. This verification can be in the form of CARB certification or by recording key identification information about the trucks so that compliance can be verified. Non-compliant shippers face fines of up to $10,000 for each year that a non-compliant carrier was hired. If multiple non-compliant carriers were hired, those fines can become quite substantial. 

So, when vetting prospective 3PL transportation and drayage providers, be sure to ask about their equipment as it relates to CARB and other regulations. For instance, Weber Logistics is a West Coast 3PL that embraces green logistics and sustainability initiatives throughout our supply chain offerings – from CARB compliance over the road to the use of 100% emission-free vehicles in our warehouses. We were one of the first members of the EPA SmartWay℠ emissions reductions program and our fleet has maintained the highest EPA rating available.

To learn more about partnering with a CARB-compliant asset-based carrier in California, contact Weber Logistics today.