California, truck manufacturers strike deal on emissions rules (updated)

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06/07/2023 17:44

(Adds reaction from California, manufacturers, governor, EPA
reaction)
    By David Shepardson
       WASHINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - 
    California state air regulators and truck and engine
manufacturers said on Thursday they had reached an agreement on
state emissions rules that will give companies more flexibility
to meet requirements.
    The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said the "Clean
Truck Partnership" with the Truck and Engine Manufacturers
Association (EMA) includes new flexibility for manufacturers to
meet emissions requirements while reaching state goals for
reducing emissions.
    In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
approved California's plans to require a rising number of
zero-emission heavy-duty trucks. California Governor Gavin
Newsom said on Twitter in March as a result "half of all heavy
duty trucks sold in CA will be electric by 2035."
    CARB said it will align its rules with the EPA 2027
regulations for nitrogen oxide emissions. The board also agreed
to provide no less than four years lead time and at least three
years of regulatory stability before imposing new requirements.
        The partnership includes Cummins  CMI.N , Daimler Truck
North America  DTGGe.DE , Ford Motor  F.N , General Motors
 GM.N , Hino Motors  7205.T , Navistar, Stelantis  STLAM.MI  and
Volvo Group North America  VOLVG.UL  and "a commitment from the
companies to meet California’s vehicle standards that will
require the sale and adoption of zero-emissions technology in
the state, regardless of whether any other entity challenges
California’s authority to set more stringent emissions
standards."
  
        Newsom said "today truck manufacturers join our urgent
efforts to slash air pollution, showing the rest of the country
that we can both cut dangerous pollution and build the economy
of the future."
  
        In March, EPA said it was not approving California's
request to set new regulations on pollutant exhaust emission
standards NOx and particulate matter for 2024 and future medium-
and heavy-duty engines and vehicles.
  
        California said Thursday it agreed to modify elements of
the 2024 NOx emission regulations for which manufacturers will
provide offsets to maintain California emission targets.
  
        "Through this agreement, we have aligned on a single
nationwide nitrogen oxide emissions standard, secured needed
lead time and stability for manufacturers, and agreed on
regulatory changes that will ensure continued availability of
commercial vehicles," said EMA President Jed Mandel.
  
        EPA said Thursday it welcomes the announcement "and
looks forward to reviewing the details of this agreement."
  
        California plans to mandate by 2045 that all operations
of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles be zero emission where
feasible, shifting away from diesel-powered trucks.
  

 (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio)
 ((David.Shepardson@thomsonreuters.com; 2028988324;))