Abstract:

On June 25, 2020, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the final rule for new standards that require the sale of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks (HDTs). The Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rulemaking finalizes standards that were initially proposed on October 22, 2019, and strengthened in a revised proposal on April 28, 2020. The regulation requires manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission trucks, is expected to reduce the lifecycle emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), eliminate tailpipe emissions of air pollutants, and foster a market for zero-emission HDTs. This HDT regulation is one of a series of rules that aim to advance climate and air quality strategies in California, which requires state-wide GHG reductions of 40% below the 1990 level by 2030. The sales requirements in the ACT are complemented by series of fleet purchase requirements, such as the Innovative Clean Transit rule for buses, which goes into effect in 2023 and requires 100% zero-emission bus purchases by 2029. This policy update summarizes key elements of the ACT rule and provides a regulatory context in California, the United States, and other major vehicle markets.