California air quality regulators Thursday amended a rule to phase out diesel trucks that manufacturers and dealers say has contributed to a vehicle shortage.
The California Air Resources Board unanimously approved changes to its Advanced Clean Trucks rule — which phases out new diesel truck sales by 2036 — that make it easier for companies like Cummins, Daimler and Volvo to comply with the regulations and still offer diesel trucks that smaller fleets and specialty operators like tow truck drivers rely on.
Manufacturers will now receive sales credits when a truck is built and delivered to a California dealer or truck upfitter, who adds components and accessories prior to sale, rather than when it reaches the final purchaser. That’s because the time between a truck being built and deployed for service can take more than a year.
The change also gives companies a three-year makeup window if they fall short of their EV requirements in a given year.
