California Approves Rule Banning Diesel Trucks by 2036

California Bans Sale of Diesel Big Rig Trucks by 2036

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has taken a major step towards reducing pollution and protecting public health by approving new regulations that ban the sale of diesel big rig trucks by 2036 and require all trucks to be zero-emissions by 2042.

Advanced Clean Fleets Rule

The Advanced Clean Fleets rule is the latest addition to California’s zero-emissions regulations, which aim to make the state more environmentally friendly and reduce pollution levels.

California is the first state to require new commercial trucks, including garbage trucks, delivery trucks, and other medium and heavy-duty vehicles, to be electric.

Benefits of the New Rule

Supporters of the new rule believe that reducing nitrogen oxide and diesel pollution will help lower the health risk of Californians who are breathing polluted air and contribute to Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Climate Commitment.

“Last year, our state approved one of the world’s first regulations requiring all new car sales to be zero emissions. Now, with these actions requiring all new heavy-duty truck sales to be zero-emission and tackling train pollution in our state, we’re one step closer to achieving healthier neighborhoods and cleaner air for all Californians,” Newsom said in a statement.

Implementation of the Rule

It’s important to note that the rule cannot be implemented without approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Big rigs and 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, according to the California Air Resources Board.

“There is no acceptable level of exposure to deadly diesel pollution—it has got to go for the sake of our health and our lungs. Environmental justice communities in California are just trying to breathe clean, healthy air, and the shift to zero-emissions trucks is a critical step to getting there,” Andrea Vidaurre, senior policy analyst for the People’s Collective for Environmental Justice, said in a statement.

Zero-Emissions Trains

In addition to trucks, trains will also be required to operate in zero-emissions configurations while operating in California, with industrial and passenger locomotives built in 2030 and freights by 2035, CARB announced Thursday.

“Locomotives are a key part of California’s transportation network, and it’s time that they are part of the solution to tackle pollution and clean our air,” CARB Chair Liane Randolph said in a statement.