Preparing for New CARB Emissions Rules

Whether you own, lease, or operate commercial vehicles in California, understanding the California Air Resources Board (CARB) vehicle emission requirements is essential for your business.

Preparing for the New CARB Vehicle Emission Rules

CARB is an agency that governs emissions, including transportation. In 2020, CARB announced a series of new rules and programs focused primarily on transitioning commercial fleets toward Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs). If you own, operate, or manage commercial vehicles, it’s important to learn about the new regulations and understand your responsibilities under these new rules.

The new rules address varying vehicle specifications and/or operating requirements that apply to different vehicle and fleet types, and center on four key changes from prior CARB vehicle emission rules:

1. They apply to all vehicles operating in the state of California, regardless of domicile. Prior programs required out-of-state units to be compliant, but only domiciled units required reporting.

2. The rules focus less on vehicle specifications and more on how you manage and operate your fleet. You still need to verify a vehicle’s specifications are California approved, but now you also have to confirm the vehicle type meets additional requirements based on its intended use (i.e.,drayage and TRU) and your broader fleet composition.

3. The new regulations phase out traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and mandate transition toward ZEVs, such as battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.

4. They will be enforced using a wide range of methods, including controls at licensing and registration points, through roadside cameras and checkpoints, during CARB inspections, and at end destinations (i.e., ports).

The new CARB vehicle-emission rules have many requirements that can affect your business in different ways. It is imperative you:

• Are aware of each rule and the areas of your business they may affect
• Understand and plan for your compliance requirements, including vehicle registration, testing, reporting, and replacement deadlines
• Develop a compliance strategy specific to your fleet by leaning on the expertise of an industry-leading third-party provider like Ryder

Options and Considerations when Purchasing new Commercial Vehicles in California

This provides an overview of some of the key CARB requirements you should consider when purchasing or leasing vehicles with Model Year (MY) 2024 and 2025 engines. Understanding CARB requirements will help you ensure your operations stay in compliance.

When should I purchase a carb certified engine vehicle?

You MUST purchase this type of engine when the vehicle:

• Is a new non-gasoline internal combustion engine (vehicle); AND
• Will be domiciled and operated in California; AND
• Is licensed, registered and titled in California

What to know:

• Limited OEM supply available for MY2024 engines
• Costs more money; additional manufacturer surcharges

When should I purchase an EPA certified engine with California clean idle sticker?

You MAY purchase this type of engine ONLY IF the vehicle:

• Will operate in more than one state including California; AND
• Meets International Registration Plan (IPR) requirements (subject to audit); AND
• Is licensed, registered and titled in any state, except California

What to know:

• Fleets that are subject to the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule1 may be prohibited from adding new ICE vehicles to their fleets (i.e. drayage, High Priority Fleets under Model Year compliance schedule)
• Where permitted, adding more ICE vehicles to ACF-regulated fleets may require purchase of more zero emission vehicles (ZEV) in future years to meet minimum ZEV thresholds

What are my options if neither specification meets my business needs or these engines are not available?

Contact a Ryder sales representative to discuss the following options:

• Purchase or lease a new EPA Certified Engine with California Clean Idle engine MY2024 vehicle outside of state and transfer after 7,500 miles
• Redeploy an engine MY2023 or earlier vehicle. Must have California Clean Idle decal
• Purchase a used engine MY2023 or earlier vehicle. Must have California Clean Idle decal
• Rent or lease a new electric vehicle through RyderElectric+
• Purchase or lease a gasoline ICE vehicle

As an established leader in the commercial transportation industry, Ryder has in-depth knowledge to help you navigate the CARB requirements that impact your operations and connect you with the right solutions to meet your business needs. For more on this and several other new CARB rules, download our whitepaper What to Know About New CARB Vehicle Emission Rules.