WASHINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) – California state air regulators and truck and engine makers said on Thursday they had reached an agreement on state emissions standards that will give companies more flexibility to meet requirements.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said the “Clean Truck Partnership” with the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) includes new flexibility for manufacturers to meet emissions requirements while meeting state goals for reducing emissions.
In March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved California’s plans to require an increasing number of zero-emission heavy trucks. California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Twitter in March that “half of all heavy-duty trucks sold in California will be electric by 2035.”
CARB said it will align its rules with the 2027 EPA regulations for nitrous oxide emissions. The board also agreed to provide no less than four years of lead time and at least three years of regulatory stability before imposing new requirements.
Partnership includes Cummins (CMI.N), Daimler Truck North America (DTGGe.DE), Ford Motor (FN), General Motors (GM.N), Hino Motors (7205.T), Navistar, Stelantis (STLAM.MI) and Volvo Group North America [RIC:RIC:VOLVG.UL] and “a commitment by companies to meet California vehicle standards that will require the sale and adoption of zero-emissions technology in the state, whether or not any other entity challenges the California authority to set emissions standards stricter”.
Newsom said, “Today, truck makers join our urgent efforts to dramatically reduce air pollution, showing the rest of the country that we can both reduce harmful pollution and build the economy of the future.”
In March, the EPA said it did not approve California’s request to set new regulations on NOx and particulate pollutant exhaust emission standards for 2024 and for future engines and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
California said Thursday it has agreed to change elements of the 2024 NOx emissions regulations for which manufacturers will provide offsets to maintain California’s emission goals.
“Through this agreement, we have aligned on a single national standard on nitrogen oxide emissions, guaranteed the necessary delivery times and stability for manufacturers, and agreed on regulatory changes that will ensure the continued availability of commercial vehicles,” he said EMA president Jed Mandel.
The EPA said Thursday it welcomes the announcement “and looks forward to reviewing the details of this agreement.”
California plans to mandate by 2045 that all medium and heavy vehicle operations be carbon neutral where possible, moving away from diesel trucks.
Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Davide Gregorio
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