Small carriers, port-truck owner-operators, and other owner-operators are expected to be affected the most when California’s latest emissions deadline arrives on January 1, 2023. This is the day that big trucks registered in the state must be emissions-compliant and have 2010 or later emissions-specification engines.
More Trucks Under California Watch
The latest deadline will require more trucks to fall under the requirements set by the California Air Resources Board’s Statewide Truck and Bus Rule and Drayage Rule. Currently, most trucks except for that have engines with emissions specifications earlier than 2017 are banned.
Truckers may soon also find themselves submitting to more stringent emissions testing. The California Senate introduced what they are calling the “Heavy-Duty Vehicles Inspections and Maintenance Program” bill on February 4. This bill applies to Class 4 and heavier trucks, not just those registered in the state, but also others that operate in the state.
Big trucks would have to go through testing that could include plugging into the vehicle’s engine control module (ECM) to access its onboard diagnostics system. Other tests, including a dynamometer test may be required to test the truck’s emissions system. The dyno test alone would cost $250. The results for the testing would be submitted to California’s Department of Motor Vehicles to determine if the truck can be registered and used in the state. The proposed bill also includes a provision to ban any trucks whose malfunction indicator lamp is lit, because it could mean the truck has an emission system-related problem.
Stay tuned to our Cargoblog for what you need to know about the latest news affecting the trucking industry.
