What is the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation and the Clean Truck Check?
California has long been at the forefront of eco-friendly initiatives focused on improving and protecting the environment. In fact, the state has its own environmental protection agency, which oversees the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Known as the “Clean Air Agency” of California, CARB focuses on efforts that reduce harmful air pollution and help maintain healthy air quality standards within the state.
CARB is the agency responsible for California’s initiative to transition to fully electric cars and buses. Recently, the agency introduced a new regulation called Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT), which piggybacks off those zero-emission quotas and expands that scope to include medium and heavy-duty trucks. Furthermore, CARB also recently announced the Clean Truck Check, also known as Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance regulations, that requires periodic emissions tests for diesel trucks to further tackle air pollution.
But let’s back up a minute. Why is CARB narrowing in on the trucking industry in California?
CARB’s Focus on Heavy-Duty Trucks
Heavy-duty trucks are considered the single largest source of air pollution compared to any other vehicle. They run on diesel, which emits toxic contaminants into the air that are harmful to humans and the environment. In fact, trucks are responsible for emitting 70% of smog-causing pollution and 80% of carcinogenic diesel soot.
What’s more, California communities located near popular truck routes, such as those in Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley, experience disproportionate levels of air pollution due to high volumes of trucks passing through the region. The bottom line? Medium and heavy-duty vehicles are a major contributing factor to California’s high air pollution levels.
Understanding ACT
That’s why ACT is eager to get more clean trucks in California. Essentially, this program requires truck manufacturers to begin selling a certain percentage of trucks that meet the zero-emission criteria each year, starting with 2024 models. Based on the vehicle classification, the required percentage of clean trucks will increase yearly until 2045, when every new commercial truck sold in California is expected to have zero-emission propulsion.
The California Clean Truck Initiative targets Class 2b-3, Class 4-8, and Class 7-8 tractors, with Class 4-8 facing the most aggressive timeline.
In conjunction with ACT, CARB is proposing an additional California clean truck initiative. Called Advanced Clean Fleets, this CARB regulation is geared more toward truck buyers, encouraging them to transition to zero-emission trucks with a special focus on those in the last-mile and drayage sectors.
Understanding the Clean Truck Check
Now, the Clean Truck Check is another initiative geared toward improving air quality in California. Just as California’s Smog Check program requires lightweight vehicles to undergo smog tests, the Clean Truck Check mandates periodic emission testing for non-gasoline trucks, buses, and other heavy-duty vehicles with a GVWR of over 14,000 pounds that operate in the state of California. This testing will help ensure these vehicles have properly functioning emissions controls that aim to reduce air pollutants.
The Clean Truck Check program is rolling out in several phases. By December 31, 2023, all heavy-duty truck owners must register their vehicles into the Clean Truck Check Database and pay the $30 per vehicle 2023 compliance fees. Periodic testing requirements are expected to begin in July 2024. Vehicles will only be required to pass one compliance test in 2024, but it will be a biannual inspection thereafter.
According to CARB, it plans to release more details on compliance requirements and provide training sessions in the coming months. That said, the testing will likely incorporate Portable Emission Acquisition System (PEAQS) roadside tests, Onboard diagnostics (OBD), and SAE J1667 smoke opacity tests and inspections. Due to the all-encompassing nature of this testing, the Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) will be phased out.
It’s important to note that failure to comply with the Clean Truck Check program could lead to citations, fines, and even blocked vehicle DMV registrations, which could put your fleet out of commission if you’re not quick to address and resolve any issues.
As these Clean Trucks in California programs go into effect, Donahue Truck Centers is closely monitoring these changes. We’re here to help you navigate these new standards and expectations to ensure you and your fleet are compliant.
Learn more about what Donahue Truck Centers can do to help you with this initiative. Contact one of our truck experts today.
