CARB Withdraws Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandates in Preparation for Federal Change
Industry pushback and lack of infrastructure prompt strategic regulatory pause
California has formally withdrawn its waiver request to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, signaling a strategic shift in response to anticipated challenges under the incoming Trump administration. This move effectively halts the state’s efforts to mandate zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption for medium- and heavy-duty fleets under the Clean Air Act framework.
The regulation, which sought to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles from fleets operating in California by 2045, had faced significant opposition from industry stakeholders. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) acknowledged that the withdrawal allows for reassessing its approach, ensuring that future policies are prepared to withstand scrutiny from a federal government expected to take a more skeptical stance on environmental mandates.
The American Bus Association (ABA) strongly opposed the ACF rule, citing its disproportionate impact on motorcoach operators. ABA President and CEO Fred Ferguson argued that the lack of commercially viable electric options for long-distance travel and rural routes made compliance impossible. Ferguson also highlighted that the high cost of ZEV motorcoaches and the absence of charging infrastructure could drive small operators out of business, destabilizing essential services like school transportation, emergency evacuations, and tourism.
The trucking and logistics sectors shared similar concerns. The California Trucking Association (CTA) warned that meeting the regulation’s requirements would require an unsustainable pace of infrastructure development, estimating the need for 157,000 new charging stations by 2030. Industry leaders argued that the ACF rule risked creating supply chain disruptions and economic hardships without robust support for infrastructure and vehicle technology.
The withdrawal also reflects broader tensions between federal and state climate policies. CARB’s decision allows California to recalibrate its strategy, avoiding protracted legal battles while seeking alternative pathways to advance its decarbonization goals. Observers note that this step signals CARB’s intention to pursue collaborative approaches with industry stakeholders while preparing for the shifting federal policy landscape.
As California reassesses its ZEV mandates, stakeholders from the motorcoach and trucking industries emphasize the importance of balanced policies that align with technological readiness and economic realities. The decision underscores the complexities of advancing ambitious climate goals amid evolving political and industry dynamics.
