Air quality in California has improved a lot since the 1960s, but the fight against smog continues. Last week, the California Air Resources Board announced new regulations of fully transitioning semitrucks to zero-emissions technology by 2045.
The new rule cannot be implemented without approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but it is highly expected to be approved by the Biden administration.
“Trucks represent only 6% of the vehicles on California’s roads, they account for over 35% of the state’s transportation generated nitrogen oxide emissions and a quarter of the state’s on-road greenhouse gas emissions.” CARB said. “California communities that sit near trucking corridors and warehouse locations with heavy truck traffic have some of the worst air in the nation. California is set to invest almost $3 billion between 2021–2025 in zero-emission trucks and infrastructure.”
Less than 1% of charging capacity for port trucks is available now.
A California Trucking Association analysis found that carrying large batteries could force trucks to shed as much as 8,000 pounds of their load capacity, increasing the need for more trucks and more drivers at a time when the industry already is facing a shortfall of workers.
Truckers can learn more about regulations here.
According to the California Energy Commission there were 1,943 medium and heavy-duty ZEV trucks, buses and delivery vans in California in 2022, with the most (339) in Los Angeles County.
In January, about 517,000 commercial heavy-duty trucks were registered with the DMV. About 499,000 people have a Class A (commercial driver’s) license in California.
The Advanced Clean Fleets rule includes an end to combustion truck sales in 2036, which would be a first in the world.
CARB’s analysis of the sales and purchase requirements estimates that about 1.7 million zero-emission trucks will hit California roads by 2050.
In 2008, a law went into effect requiring trucks to comply with the Truck and Bus regulation, the state’s key regulation governing diesel emissions, or be subject to DMV restrictions. All trucks must be outfitted with a 2010 engine or the equivalent. About 100,000 trucks have been impacted.
What is CARB?
The California Air Resources Board consists of 16 members. 12 are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The 12 members include six who serve on local air districts, four experts in fields that shape air quality rules, two public members and one, the chair, who serves as the only full-time member.
The other four include two who represent environmental justice communities and two nonvoting members appointed for Legislative oversight, one each from the Senate and Assembly.
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector
The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to anthropogenic U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990–2020 (the national inventory that the U.S. prepares annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), transportation accounted for the largest portion (27%) of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2020. Cars, trucks, commercial aircraft and railroads, among other sources, all contribute to transportation end-use sector emissions.
County smog scorecard
Figures from the American Lung Association
The colors used in State of the Air are based on the Air Quality Index, which assigns six different levels of health concern to increasing concentrations of air pollution. Each category has a specific color. State of the Air only includes the four levels that are considered unhealthy: Orange for unhealthy for sensitive groups, red for unhealthy, purple for very unhealthy and maroon for hazardous.
Worst in U.S. for ozone
1: Los Angeles-Long Beach
2: Visalia
3: Bakersfield
4: Fresno-Madera-Hanford
5: Phoenix-Mesa
6: Denver-Aurora
7: Sacramento-Roseville
8: San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
9: Houston-The Woodlands
10: Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem
11: San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland
Sources: California Air Resources Board, American Lung Association, EPA, Freightwaves.com, DMV