A fleet manager’s guide to the California Air Resources Board (CARB)

The importance of clean transportation in California

California is the most populous state in the U.S., with over 38 million people. With as many as 35 million registered vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, and trailers, California is one of the leading producers of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. In 2022, California's transportation sector remained the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 38% of the state's total emissions.

In a 2022 letter to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that achieving California's emissions goals and combating climate change will require taking action on strategies such as deploying offshore wind, constructing clean and healthy buildings, moving away from fossil fuels, addressing methane leaks, removing carbon, and increasing climate ambition. These actions aim to reduce air pollution and improve public health, ultimately with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.

As California continues along the path to clean air, one of the most critical factors to achieving carbon neutrality is promoting clean transportation for vehicles such as cars and light- and heavy-duty fleets. In this guide, we break down everything a fleet manager needs to know about CARB, including recent developments to California’s heavy-duty fleet emissions testing, and how innovative technology can help fleets improve compliance, reduce downtime, and enhance efficiency.

What is the California Air Resources Board (CARB)?

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is a government department within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA), serving as California's primary agency for air quality regulation and climate protection. Established in 1967, CARB merged two existing government agencies to address severe air pollution in California. CARB plays a vital role in setting and enforcing air quality standards, regulating vehicle emissions, driving California's climate change initiatives, and ensuring all Californians have access to clean air and a high quality of life. Learn more at CARB’s website: http://www.arb.ca.gov.

What are some key CARB programs driving emissions reduction?

CARB is responsible for protecting the environment by reducing air pollution and fighting climate change in California. Clean transportation initiatives from light- and heavy-duty fleets play a crucial role in helping California achieve its ambitious climate goals. To address this, CARB has implemented key programs designed to reduce emissions, including:

1. Clean Truck Check (CTC) regulation (2021)

Enacted under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Truck Check (CTC) regulation, also known as the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (HD I/M) Program, is a CARB initiative aimed at reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles operating within California. 

The Clean Truck Check (CTC) regulation requires non-gasoline powered heavy-duty vehicles (with a GVWR of more than 14,000 pounds) operating in the state of California to register with CARB and conduct periodic emissions testing to ensure that the vehicles’ emissions control systems are maintaining the same efficiency as the vehicle ages. 

Starting January 1, 2025, heavy-duty vehicles operating in or entering California are required to conduct two emission tests a year. The compliance deadlines are based on the vehicle’s VIN or date of registration, and a passing emissions test can be conducted and submitted 90 days before the relevant compliance deadline. The number of required emissions tests will increase to four annually by 2027. Heavy-duty vehicles are categorized as those over 14,000 pounds and powered by diesel or alternative fuels and must comply with the Clean Truck Check standards to operate in California (regardless of the state of registration).

For heavy-duty fleets operating in or entering California, new CTC regulations will require emissions testing at a CARB CTC-compliant facility or by a certified technician twice a year, with each test costing up to $300. Fleet operators may also conduct emissions testing through an approved continuously connected remote on-board diagnostics device (ROBD). If a heavy-duty vehicle owner fails to comply with this requirement, they are subject to CARB enforcement action, such as penalties and registration holds. Potential civil penalties may be as high as $1,000 to $10,000 per day per vehicle.

2. Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation (2020) 

The Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation is a CARB regulation that aims to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) for medium- and heavy-duty fleets. This includes battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric trucks, buses, and vans. Any vehicle manufacturer that produces or sells more than 500 on-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with a GVWR over 8,500 pounds in California must report to ACT annually. Fleets must work closely with manufacturers to ensure compliance for new ZEV sales, as well as consider infrastructure needs for charging stations or hydrogen refueling. Mapping tools for charging stations are available through the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure program. 

For fleet managers looking to transition their fleet to zero-emission vehicles, ACT offers incentives through the Clean Truck & Bus Vouchers (HVIP). Under HVIP, public and private operators of medium- and heavy-duty truck and bus fleets are eligible for vouchers (available funding for standard HVIP incentive voucher is at $158 million) when they adopt zero-emission vehicles, helping to offset ZEV costs and streamline electrification.

Under the ACT, 5% to 9% of sales for new trucks in 2024 will need to be ZEVs. In 2025, this percentage will increase to 7% to 11%. ACT specifies that by 2035, 55% of new medium-duty trucks, 75% of new heavy-duty trucks, and 40% of new tractor-trailers must be zero-emission. Ultimately by 2045, ACT seeks to ensure that 100% of all new medium- and heavy-duty trucks sold in California are zero-emission.

3. Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) Program (2012) 

The Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) Program is a CARB regulatory package that targets cars and light-duty fleets, aiming to reduce vehicle emissions and accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). With increasing gas prices and declining air quality in California, ACC sets strict standards to reduce tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions, decrease the dependence on fossil fuels, minimize smog-forming pollutants, enhance fuel economy, and improve sales of zero-emission vehicles. ACC’s goal is for 100% of new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and SUVs sold in California to be zero emissions by 2035.

One of the key pillars of ACC is the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program. To meet California's health-based air quality standards and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, ZEV offers credits to automakers for producing and selling a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles. Some vehicles that emit zero greenhouse gas or other air pollutants include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs). 

On the consumer side, the Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A) Program provides grants and incentives (up to $12,000) to help lower-income households replace polluting vehicles with zero-emission vehicles. As of November 22, 2024, the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) expands CC4A standards to additional California districts as well, including San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Riverside, and more.

4. California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32) 

The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32) is the United States’ first comprehensive initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The goal of AB32 is to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, equating to a 15% reduction. By aligning fleet operations with AB32 goals, fleet managers can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and contribute to California’s broader climate change objectives. Some of AB32’s most impactful programs include:

• Cap-and-Trade Program: This program is a market-based approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. It sets a statewide limit (cap) on total emissions of carbon dioxide from major sources, such as power plants, industrial facilities, and fuel distributors, while allowing companies to trade emission allowances. By buying and trading carbon allowances, organizations can continue to drive revenue while meeting compliance goals. As a result of the Cap-and-Trade Program, heavy-duty fleets must now carefully monitor fuel use and carbon emissions, as these can directly impact compliance costs. Leveraging innovative technology such as telematics and fleet management systems can help optimize routing, reduce idling, and improve fuel efficiency, reducing costs associated with carbon allowances.

• The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS): This policy aims to reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of transportation fuels used in California. Fuels such as gasoline, which is derived from fossil fuels, have high CI; in contrast, fuels such as biodiesel, natural gas, and electricity have low CI. Under LCFS, fuel producers and importers must lower the overall CI of their fuel to ensure compliance to annual reduction targets. Heavy-duty fleets can earn LCFS credits and lower operating costs by adopting low CI technology. LCFS is critical to CARB’s strategy to combat climate change, reduce the use of fossil fuels, improve air quality, and promote renewable energy sources.

Due to these programs, California met its 2020 GHG reduction goal four years ahead of schedule in 2016. Looking ahead, CARB looks to build upon its success with emissions reductions, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 85% and achieve carbon neutrality in 2045.

Are there other US states that are adopting California CARB standards?

Several other US states, often referred to as Section 177 states, have adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards. These states include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington DC. Recent developments for key states include:

• New York: New York adopted CARB emissions standards in 2000, recently implementing the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, which mandates 100% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales for light-duty vehicles by 2035. New York has also adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation and the Heavy-Duty Low NOx rule to reduce emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. These initiatives are part of larger investments in ZEV infrastructure and public incentives like the Drive Clean Rebate.

• Colorado: Colorado adopted CARB emissions standards in 2018, recently implementing the Colorado Clean Cars rule (Colorado’s version of the Advanced Clean Cars II rule) and Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) standards to expand zero-emission vehicle sales across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty categories. These efforts are part of Colorado’s larger goals to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. 

• Oregon: Oregon adopted CARB emissions standards in 2005 and continues to strengthen its commitment through Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks regulations. These efforts aim for 90% new ZEV sales by 2035, along with electrification of medium- and heavy-duty fleets.

• Massachusetts: Massachusetts adopted CARB emissions standards in 1990. They recently implemented the Advanced Clean Cars II program and the Advanced Clean Trucks rule as part of Massachusetts’ commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

How Samsara’s CTC Manager can help heavy-duty fleets streamline CARB emissions compliance

With CARB’s ever-evolving regulations, public sector fleets are looking to innovative technology such as Samsara’s Vehicle Telematics solution to improve compliance, reduce downtime, and enhance operational efficiency. For example, CARB is implementing new emissions testing requirements for heavy-duty vehicles. According to the Clean Truck Check Regulation, fleets operating in or entering California will need to conduct emissions tests twice annually starting January 2025, with testing intervals increasing to four times per year by 2027. 

The new CTC requirements for emissions testing pose several challenges for government fleets operating in California, such as:

• Time consuming manual testing: Traditional emissions tests are time-intensive, requiring vehicles to be pulled from the road, resulting in both downtime and added administrative tasks for fleet managers. Emissions testing typically needs to be done at a CARB CTC-compliant facility or by a certified technician, which are difficult to find outside of California. Alternatively, you can conduct emissions testing through an approved continuously connected remote on-board diagnostics device (ROBD).

• High compliance costs: In-person testing is both costly and inconvenient, with some CARB CTC-certified facilities charging up to $300 per test. Additionally, non-compliance can result in civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per day for each vehicle that fails to meet air quality standards, leading to substantial financial liabilities and potential reputational damage.

• Lost job opportunities: Manual tracking increases the risk of missing compliance deadlines, which can lead to job losses, project delays, and registration issues if vehicles are prohibited from operating in California.

To streamline emissions compliance and improve efficiency for California’s evolving regulatory requirements, fleets in California can now leverage Samsara’s CTC Manager, a comprehensive solution that includes remote emissions data capture and automated reporting.

With Samsara’s remote emissions testing capability, vehicles equipped with a Samsara Vehicle Gateway can perform emissions checks anytime, anywhere. Remote emissions testing eliminates the need for vehicles to visit CARB-compliant facilities or certified technicians. This helps keep vehicles working and reduces disruptions to operations. By avoiding unnecessary trips and lengthy testing processes, fleets are able to save time and maximize operational efficiency. Samsara’s CTC Manager helps operations:

• Minimize downtime and compliance costs, keeping vehicles on the road and fleets productive.

• Collect remote emissions data without the need for cumbersome in-person testing.

• Streamline compliance tasks with automated tracking and reporting.

Want to learn more? Discover how the Samsara CTC Manager can help you simplify compliance and improve efficiency.