California is taking steps to decrease pollution on its highways caused by older diesel vehicles. A new law will prohibit any diesel car weighing more than 14,000 kg with an engine developed before the 2010 model year from functioning on California roads beginning January 1, 2023. This rule, part of a set of emissions rules implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 2008, impacts around 200,000 cars and buses, including 70,000 heavy rigs.
There will be exceptions for older vehicles that have had their engines replaced with engines from after the 2010 model year, as well as vehicles that drive less than 1,000 miles each year. According to CARB, most fleet operators have already complied with the new law, with 1.58 million cars receiving new post-2010 engines.
The California Department of Motor Automobiles (DMV) will deny new registrations to non-compliant vehicles as part of the rule’s enforcement. CARB will also evaluate truck and bus fleets and levy fines if necessary.
Diesel exhaust accounts for 70% of the cancer risk from airborne chemicals, but the vehicles that generate the majority of it are subject to less rigorous emissions standards than passenger automobiles. This new rule is a step toward catching up on heavy-duty vehicle emissions restrictions, which have trailed behind those for passenger cars for years. The Biden administration has tightened EPA requirements for heavy-duty trucks, but they still fall short of California’s standards.
California has big plans for commercial vehicle futures, with a goal of mandating electric commercial cars by 2045. Meanwhile, the state has higher pollution standards for new automobiles, which 17 other states have adopted. Until recently, truck manufacturers were resistant to harsher rules, and it’s uncertain how vehicle owners will react. Illegal emissions tampering on diesel pickups are common, according to the EPA. If this is extended to larger commercial vehicles, it may negate some of the benefits of California’s ban on older diesel engines.
