RVs and California Emissions Regulations

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

The implementation of California's CARB regulations that could ban the sale of new motorized RVs has not been modified after the outcry when it was announced.

The regulations would affect new Class A, Class B and Class C motorhomes. 

The Travel has posted an article on what people need to know about the new regulations.

They begin it with:

California has some of the best national parks in the U.S. for scenery and road trip adventures, but a new emissions law is about to shake things up. The upcoming regulation will impact RV travel and camping trips across the state— and now, it’s also reshaping how RVs are sold in the state.

If you’re in the market for a motorhome or thinking about upgrading before your next trip, the new standards could limit your options in the not-so-distant future. Although it’s become a touchy topic among RV and camping enthusiasts, California is not banning RV sales outright, but new environmental regulations are making it significantly harder to buy and sell certain models.

Here’s what’s really happening, which vehicles are affected, and how RVers can still navigate the changing landscape.

To read more, go here. 

California May Back Off Plan To Ban Motorhome Sales

It looks like the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is backpedaling on their proposed emissions regulations that could ban motorhomes in the state.

This is a step in the right direction, but there is still uncertainty.

RV Travel reported:

Early this week, California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew its request to move forward with regulations that could force a total ban on big diesel trucks in 2036. CARB had asked the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to grant them authority for the ban under its Advanced Clean Fleets program, which would’ve required truckers to buy zero-emissions trucks. CARB’s backpedaling could have implications for the so-called California motorhome ban. The CARB reversal is big news. But it’s too early for the RV industry to rejoice—the devil is in the details.

CARB reversal—”Uncertainty presented by the incoming administration”

The move, which surprised many industry insiders, comes just days before the inauguration of Donald Trump as president. Trump has vowed to roll back California’s air pollution rulings somehow, and the message got through to CARB. Yesterday, CARB’s Chair Liane Randolph said this in a statement: “Withdrawal is an important step given the uncertainty presented by the incoming administration that previously attacked California’s programs to protect public health and the climate and has said will continue to oppose those programs.”

While it will make a difference, the battle involving RVs in California—and other states that follow its lead—is far from over.  

To read more, go here. 

Trucking Industry Fights For Regulation Reprieve

Trucking industry associations are fighting back against state regulations that would effectively ban new motorhome sales as there is not the technology available for zero emissions.

They have issued a letter to several state governors asking for a delay in the implementation of those regulations.

According to RV Travel:

It may well be too late for California, but sales of motorhomes in eight other states could be spared the Golden State’s fate. Commercial trucking associations have banded together and are pleading with eight state governors (and one governor-elect) to slow down the implementation of ACT—California’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation. If those states listen, it might affect the potential motorhome sales shutdown in those states.

On December 17, eight state trucking associations issued a letter to governors in states adopting Advanced Clean Trucks rules, expressing their concerns regarding the new requirements.

Unless something unforeseen happens, new sales of motorhomes in California will dry up in 2025. But other states, ones that adopt those same California regulations, will see the same problem. Since ACT affects big trucks, the big trucking associations are trying to get those states to slow the regulation down. The states include Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.

Of those states, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington are slated to start the rule in 2025. Vermont jumps on board in 2026, and the rest in 2027. The coalition of trucking associations wants the states not to quash the ACT regulation entirely, but to delay implementation. The letter cites the fact that engine manufacturers just don’t have the technology yet to make the ACT regulations feasible.

Note that the states adopting the ACT regulations are all blue Democrat states.

To read the full article, go here.

RV Travel: CARB Pollution Rule Portends Disaster

Above, San Diego's Campland On The Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two blog posts on the California "ban" on Class A, Class B and Class C RVs have already been posted here.

For more in-depth information on the coming CARB (California Air Resources Board) emissions standards has been posted at RV Travel. It is by RV lemon law attorney Ron Burge.

It begins with:

The new California Air Resources Board (CARB) rule that becomes effective in 2025 will cause major changes to the RV industry and that means motorhome buyers, too. Originally aimed at the tailpipe pollution levels of fossil fuel emission engines — gas and diesel — of big rig trucks, the new emissions level mandate will hit the RV industry hard, too, with an industry-wide and nationwide impact.

To read the article, go here.