California Bans Sale of New Diesel Big Rigs by 2036 and Requires Zero-Emission Trucks by 2042

The California Air Resources Board has voted unanimously to approve the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, which bans the sale of new diesel big rigs by 2036 and requires all trucks to be zero-emissions by 2042.

This puts California at the forefront of mitigating national tailpipe pollution. This is the state’s second zero-emissions trucks rule and is the first in the world to require new commercial trucks, including garbage trucks, delivery trucks, and other medium and heavy-duty vehicles, to be electric.

The rule’s supporters argue that it will improve public health in marginalized communities that have endured polluted air while mitigating the effects of climate change.

The mandate is expected to deliver $26.5 billion in public health benefits in California, avoiding health impacts and deaths due to diesel pollution. Heavy-duty trucks represent nearly one third of the state’s nitrogen oxide and more than one quarter of its fine particle pollution from diesel fuel.

Although some of the country’s major truck manufacturers and their lobbying groups have opposed the regulations, arguing that the requirements are costly as electric models are more expensive than diesel trucks, the mandate would require companies that operate 50 or more trucks to convert their fleets into electric or hydrogen models and achieve zero-emissions by 2042.

The mandate has different deadlines for various types of vehicles. For instance, drayage trucks, which carry cargo to and from major ports, must be converted to electric models by 2035, while new sales starting in 2024 must be zero-emissions. Vehicles like garbage trucks and school buses must be zero-emissions by 2027.

California had sought waivers from the Clean Air Act to set stricter standards than the federal government for heavy-duty vehicles.

The state’s stricter tailpipe emissions rules will have broader effects beyond California, which has significant authority over the U.S. auto industry, and could pave the way for other states to follow suit. New York, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Colorado have already adopted California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule.

The state has committed to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045. Last year, it banned the sale of new gasoline-powered cars starting in 2035. Today’s mandate also comes a day after the state adopted a historic rule to limit emissions from diesel-powered trains.