The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are trading barbs.
CARB called the EPA’s efforts to repeal the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulations “stunningly sloppy and amateurish” and “devoid of scientific evidence.”
The EPA called CARB’s latest emission regulations a “feeble attempt to revive its electric vehicle mandates” and “nothing more than scare tactics.”
An update on zero emission truck (ZEV) regulations:
CARB officially voted to repeal the Advance Clean Fleet (ACF) rule. As a reminder, the ACF was the requirement for trucking companies to buy an increasing number of ZEVs as well as the requirement that any new truck entered into drayage service beginning in January 2024 be ZEV.
The Advance Clean Truck (ACT) is the requirement for truck dealers and manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of ZEV. This rule was overturned by a Congressional Review Act (CRA). California (along with ten other states) is suing to get the rule reinstated, and a group of manufacturers is suing CARB for holding them to the rule despite the CRA.
Q: Where does it leave the industry?
A: In a state of confusion.
While these lawsuits play out, CARB proposes to return to their previous regulations and allow the purchase and use of trucks which meet EPA standards but reserve the right to retroactively enforce if the courts rule in their favor.