California To Roll Out Mandatory Motorhome Emissions Testing

Above, The Beast at North Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I see stories like the following, they make me thank my "lucky stars" that I moved out of California.

Thanks to Gov. Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown and the Democrat-controlled legislature, Commiefornia will be rolling out mandatory motorhome emissions testing. Thanks to the Democrats in the state, California is not only unfriendly to business, it will soon be unfriendly to motorhome RVers. 

Emissions testing for cars is $70 and up. Imagine what it may cost for motorhome testing! And that doesn't even count the sky-high vehicle registration fees!

And, as if it couldn't be any worse, the 2016 law also affects out-of-state visitors to California.

From RV Travel:

Got a big diesel motorhome? What’s big? A motorhome that tips the gross vehicle weight scale of 14,000 pounds or more. The diesel pusher in our photo easily tips over the scale. If you do, you may be in for a rude awakening. California is readying a rollout of mandatory motorhome emissions testing requirements. They’ll go into effect in July 2023. 

Not a California resident? Don’t sigh in relief just yet. As it stands, even folks visiting the Golden State with a “heavy duty vehicle” are subject to some rigorous testing. All of it could slow your entry into the state.

Tailpipe intrusion courtesy of CARB

The genesis of this new tailpipe intrusion comes from a 2016 law. Created under Senate Bill 210 its purpose was to cut air pollution.  The aim is to reduce the amount of nitrous oxide and particulate emissions, “from non-gasoline heavy duty vehicles . . . that operate in California, including out-of-state vehicles.” 

We initially thought the application of the law was to commercial rigs. Sorry, privately owned recreational vehicles fall under the law and the new rules. The rules come straight from the state’s Air Resources Board (CARB). It’s the same agency that has caused more than one gas can owner to hurl naughty words when dealing with eco-conscious fuel containers.

So, once July 2023 arrives, people from states outside of California had better think twice before planning that trip to Yosemite National Park.

To read more, go here.