Background
On-road heavy-duty (HD) vehicles operate throughout California and are an essential part of the state’s economy; they include long-haul trucks, drayage trucks, transit buses, refuse trucks, and other commercial work vehicles. According to California’s emissions inventory model, almost a million HD vehicles operate on California roads each year. These vehicles are significant sources of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In fact, HD vehicles comprise the largest NOx emission source category in the state.
On September 9, 2021, California adopted the Omnibus regulation which primarily established more stringent NOx and PM standards applicable to new 2024 and subsequent model year (MY) medium- and HD diesel and Otto-cycle engines.
As 2024 model year certification approached, CARB staff became aware through manufacturer product plans for 2024 to 2026 that while the technology for diesel-fueled Omnibus compliant engines was available, manufacturers did not intend to produce such engines for some categories of trucks in California. Given the impacts to fleets manufacturers were projecting, additional flexibility was desired to enable a smoother transition to the Omnibus standards. CARB staff is proposing to amend the legacy engine provisions in the Omnibus regulation to provide additional compliance flexibility to allow manufacturers to produce and certify greater numbers of 2024 through 2026 MY legacy engines, while also ensuring the proposed amendments will not reduce the emissions benefits of the Omnibus regulation.
Inquiries concerning the substance of the proposed regulatory action may be directed to the agency representative Daniel Hawelti, Staff Air Pollution Specialist, On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Section, at (951) 542-3195 or Mitzi Magtoto, Staff Air Pollution Specialist, On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Section, at (916) 323-8975.
The Notice, ISOR, and all subsequent regulatory documents are available on CARB's Rulemaking webpage.
Written Comment Period & Comment Submittal
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, interested members of the public may present comments in writing by postal mail or by electronic submittal. A public hearing is currently not scheduled. The public comment period for this regulatory action will begin on August 4, 2023. To be considered by the EO, written comments must be submitted by September 18, 2023. Comments submitted outside that comment period are considered untimely. CARB may, but is not required to, respond to untimely comments, including those raising significant environmental issues. Comments submitted must be addressed to one of the following:
Clerks' Office, California Air Resources Board
1001 I Street, Sacramento, California 95814
Please note that under the California Public Records Act (Government Code section 7920.000 et seq.), your written and oral comments, attachments, and associated contact information (e.g., your address, phone, email, etc.) become part of the public record and can be released to the public upon request.
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