CARB Regulations Affect Any Truck Driving in California

Have you heard of CARB — The California Air Resources Board? Chances are, our readers in California, just rolled their eyes a bit, as CARB has been creating strict environmental regulations for years now. However, new regulations from CARB, coming online very soon are a good time to point out that the CARB rules don’t just affect carriers registered in California, they affect any truck DRIVING in California.

What are the New Regulations?

The new regulations force carriers to make improvements to their tractors and trailers to make them more fuel efficient and aerodynamic thereby creating less green house gas emissions. The  implementation is a bit complicated and is split between small and large fleets. We have included the information for smaller motor carriers here. If you have a larger fleet (more than 20 trailers), you can find more information here:

We’ve pulled the following explanation from a CARB press release:

Who is affected by the regulation?

This regulation applies to all 53-foot or longer box-type trailers, including both dry-van and refrigeratedvan trailers operating in California, and the heavy-duty tractors that pull them.

How does the regulation define a small fleet?

A small fleet is any fleet of 20 or fewer trailers. Fleets with 21 or more trailers are considered large fleets

What does the regulation require of fleets, and when will the requirements take effect?

This regulation applies to all affected vehicles operating on California highways, regardless of where they are registered. Owners of tractors subject to the regulation must either purchase new SmartWay certified tractors or retrofit existing tractors with low rolling resistance tires. Owners of trailers subject to the regulation must either purchase new SmartWay certified trailers or retrofit existing trailers with SmartWay verified aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires. Below are the required technology and compliance deadlines for affected tractors and trailers.

Tractor Requirements:

Affected Tractors*

Requirements

Compliance Date
2011 MY and newer HD sleeper cab tractors SmartWay Certified (no retrofit available) January 1, 2010
2011 MY and newer HD day cab tractors Low rolling resistance tires only January 1, 2010
All 2010 or older MY HD tractors (including
sleeper and day cabs)		 Low rolling resistance tires only January 1, 2013

* That pull 53-foot or longer box-type trailers in California        MY – model year HD – heavy duty

Trailer Requirements:

Affected Trailers*

 Requirements

Compliance Date
2011 MY and newer dry vans SmartWay Certified or retrofitted with Low rolling resistance tires + 5% fuel saving aerodynamic technologies January 1, 2010
2011 MY and newer refrigerated vans SmartWay Certified or retrofitted with Low rolling resistance tires + 4% fuel saving aerodynamic technologies January 1, 2010
2010 or older MY box-type trailers SmartWay Certified or retrofitted with 5%/4% fuel saving aerodynamic technologies January 1, 2013
SmartWay verified Low rolling resistance tires January 1, 2017
2003-2004 MY refrigerated van trailers SmartWay Certified or retrofitted with Low rolling resistance tires + 4% fuel saving aerodynamic technologies January 1, 2018
2005-2006 MY refrigerated van trailers SmartWay Certified or retrofitted with  Low rolling resistance tires + 4% fuel saving aerodynamic technologies January 1, 2019
2007-2009 MY refrigerated van trailers SmartWay Certified or retrofitted with Low rolling resistance tires + 4% fuel saving aerodynamic technologies January 1, 2020

*Applies to 53-foot or longer box-type trailers in California           MY – model year

Are there special compliance opportunities for small fleets?

Small fleets may take advantage of special compliance opportunities for their pre-2011 model year trailers.  While all 2011 and newer model year trailers must comply as of January 1, 2010, small fleets can choose to phase-in compliance of their 2010 and older model year trailers with the aerodynamic technology requirements of the regulation as shown in the table below using the small fleet compliance schedule (or they can choose the large fleet compliance schedule described in the large fleet fact sheet).

Otherwise, they can choose to meet the deadlines described above for all fleets.  The small fleet compliance schedule below identifies the total percentage of trailers in a small fleet that must meet the aerodynamic technology requirements for each of the phase-in years.  In order to take advantage of this compliance option, small fleets must submit a Small Fleet Compliance Plan by July 1, 2012.

Small Fleet Compliance Schedule*

Must Comply Before January 1 of: 2014 2015 2016 2017
% of Trailer Fleet That Must Comply 25% 50% 75% 100%

*Applies to 2010 and older model year 53-foot or longer box-type trailers that travel in California

What must be included in the Small Fleet Compliance Plan?

The plan for small fleets must include the following:  statement of intent, trailer fleet list, small fleet base number and base list, and the annual conformance number for all affected trailers that will operate in California.  The trailer fleet list identifies all trailers that are part of the fleet. The fleet base list identifies all affected trailers that will operate in California.  The annual conformance number must identify how many trailers will be brought into compliance for each of the phase-in years, according to the percentage requirements identified in the previous table.

Where and when should I submit the Plan?

Small fleet plans must be submitted to ARB by July 1, 2012 either electronically via our website at

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/ssltrucrs/trucrs_reporting/reporting.php#content, or by mail to:

Air Resources Board
Attn: ORHDD Section
9480 Telstar Avenue, Suite 4
El Monte, California 91731

Will incentive funding be available to help small fleets?

Fleets may be eligible for financing through the following programs:

Article Provided by: http://www.foleyservices.com