California has released updated draft regulatory language for its zero-emission fleet rule. As proposed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the draft Advanced Clean Fleets regulation would require fleets of 50 or more trucks to add only zero-emission trucks to their California fleet beginning in 2024. In addition, diesel trucks would be prohibited from operating in California after reaching 800,000 miles or 18 years of age.
Alternatively, fleets would have the option of achieving compliance by reaching specific zero-emission truck percentages for their California fleet. These percentages would be based on the type of truck (i.e., package delivery, day cab, sleeper cab, etc.), and phased-in from 2025 to 2042. Any truck that operates in California is part of a California fleet.
More information is available here.
Speaking of zero emission trucks, The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released a new report that analyzes the environmental impacts of zero-emission trucks (ZET). This analysis, a 2021 top priority of ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee, utilized federal and industry-sourced data to identify and compare full life-cycle CO2 emissions for a range of truck types, including a baseline diesel truck, battery electric trucks and hydrogen fuel cell trucks.
The study found that while electric trucks have no direct tailpipe emissions, CO2 production associated with vehicle, battery and electricity production would result in a 30 percent decrease in CO2 emissions when compared to a standard diesel truck. ATRI ’s research concludes that hydrogen fuel cell trucks are ultimately the most environmentally friendly truck type, although the technology is not presently feasible for long-haul operations.
The CARB standard has become the de facto national standard as states adopt their air and climate programs so states that have already adopted or are in the process of adopting the CARB standard are likely to adopt the finalized rule here as well.
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