California announced a partnership on July 6 with the nation’s top truck manufacturers that advances the development of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for the commercial trucking industry, putting the state on track to meet its climate goals.
The agreement reached between the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) and its commercial engine and vehicle members includes a commitment from the companies to meet California’s ZEV standards — 100 percent clean truck sales by 2036. The agreement also includes stipulations regarding emissions standards, regulatory changes, and more.
The terms of the Clean Truck Partnership include the following items.
- CARB will align with EPA’s 2027 regulations for nitrogen oxide emissions. CARB also will modify elements of the 2024 NOx emission regulations for which manufacturers will provide offsets as necessary to maintain California’s emission targets.
- CARB commits to providing no less than four years’ lead time and at least three years of regulatory stability before imposing new requirements.
- Truck manufacturers commit to meeting CARB’s zero-emission and criteria pollutant regulations in the state regardless of any attempts by other entities to challenge California’s authority.
The Clean Truck Partnership comes as California prepares for implementation of its landmark rules that put in place a phased-in transition toward 100 percent sale and use of zero-emissions technology for medium- and-heavy-duty vehicles under CARB’s Advanced Clean Trucks and Advanced Clean Fleets rule by 2045.
In March, the Biden administration approved California’s waiver under the federal Clean Air Act that allows the state to become the first in the world to require zero-emissions technology for trucks. By working together, California air quality regulators and truck manufacturers will ensure that the technology, infrastructure, and supply will be available to meet the state’s ambitious clean air goals.
The California Groundwater Association continues to monitor CARB news and discuss the industry with CARB officials on topics such as the uniqueness of water well drilling rigs, the small business aspect of the industry, the importance of groundwater to California, the lack of infrastructure on the typical jobsite, and the transition toward vehicle electrification by CARB.
Click here to read the partnership agreement.