In 2010, California passed a law regulating greenhouse gas emissions in all heavy-duty tractors and trailers. The regulations apply to anyone driving on California highways—regardless of where a vehicle is registered.
To help you determine whether your fleet of vehicles is in compliance with this law, here is a basic overview of the Tractor-Trailer GHG Regulations.
What vehicles are affected?
The law applies to all 53-foot or longer box-style trailers, either dry-van or refrigerated, and the tractors that pull them on California highways. If a vehicle is found to be non-compliant with these regulations, the driver, owner, motor carrier, and California-based broker or shipper may all be held responsible.
What are the specific requirements?
The regulations are designed to reduce emissions by improving tractor and trailer aerodynamic and by lowering tire rolling resistance. Here are the basic requirements:
- Tractors with a model year (MY) of 2011 or later pulling 53-foot or longer trailers must be SmartWay certified or retrofitted with SmartWay verified low rolling resistance (LLR) tires.
- 2010 MY and older tractors pulling affected trailers must be retrofitted with LRR tires and SmartWay verified LLR tires.
- 2011 MY trailers longer than 53 feet must be SmartWay certified, or else be retrofitted with aerodynamic technology and LLR tires approved by SmartWay.
- 2010 MY and older trailers must be phased in with the new regulations, depending on fleet size, and get retrofitted with aerodynamic devices. All trailers must be retrofitted with SmartWay LRR tires by January 1, 2017.
Some exceptions to these regulations include military vehicles, authorized emergency vehicles, solid waste vehicles, and others—visit the California Environmental Protection Agency website for more information and updates to this and other regulations.
Are you a fleet manager looking for information about regulations that affect your fleet? Read more about emission facts and laws that you need to know.
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