Earlier this week, California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chair Liane Randolph announced that the agency is abandoning its quest for a federal Clean Air Act waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enact regulations adopted in 2023. This regulatory approach would have mandated that all truck fleets in California be converted to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2042. The move was prompted by news from EPA that they would not be granting the waiver, which is necessary for California to enact stricter air quality regulations than what it federally required, before Donald Trump is sworn in as President on January 20, 2025.
While the move temporarily prevents CARB from forcing private truck fleets to convert to ZEVs, it is unclear whether CARB will abandon the rule altogether. The agency has authority to implement the state and local government provisions of the regulations without a waiver, and CARB authorities indicated that they would consider their options moving forward before any further announcements are made. It is widely anticipated that CARB will continue implementation of the government fleet provisions while exploring alternate options for private fleets.
For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Staci Heaton.