Heavy-Duty (Tractor-Trailer) Greenhouse Gas Regulation

This page last reviewed March 19, 2013

Heavy-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Regulation

Background:


Button for tractor trailer ghg regulation overview button.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) in December 2008 adopted a new regulation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty tractors that pull 53-foot or longer box-type trailers.  Fuel efficiency is improved through improvements in tractor and trailer aerodynamics and the use of low rolling resistance tires.

The regulation is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 0.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalents by 2020, statewide.  Over the 11 years between 2010, when the rule went into effect, and the end of 2020, it is estimated that truckers and trucking companies will save about $5.1 billion when diesel fuel consumption is reduced by as much as 750 million gallons in California and 3.3 billion gallons across the nation.

Tractor Trailer GHG Reporting and registration video button.

The tractors and trailers subject to this regulation must use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWaySM certified tractors and trailers, or retrofit their existing fleet with SmartWay verified technologies. For further information, please call 866-6DIESEL (866-634-3735) or email at: 8666diesel@arb.ca.gov. Financial assistance is available through an ARB loan program and the Federal SmartWay Finance Program . More information can also be found at the federally-funded Diesel Emissions Reduction National Program (DERA).

Related Links

What's New

  • Workshop presentation for the proposed modification to the TTGHG regulation (Posted March 7, 2013)
    Staff is proposing amendements to the Tractor-Trailer GHG regulation to align some of the tractor requirements with the US EPA Heavy-Duty GHG Regulation - Phase 1. Workshop presentation
  • Clarification of Low Rolling Resistance Tire Requirements: Open Shoulder Drive Tires and Retreaded Tires (Posted December 11, 2012)
    The California Air Resources Board has issued Advisory MSC 12-26 to explain how the low rolling resistance tire requirements of the regulation will be implemented for: (1) tractors that use 2 or more open shoulder drive tires and (2) 2011 and newer model year tractors and trailers that use retreaded tires.
  • Implementation Guidance for Modifying Trailer Aerodynamic Technologies (Posted October 25, 2012)
    The California Air Resources Board has posted on its website the following document: Implementation Guidance for the Tractor-Trailer GHG Regulation 1) List of Pre-Approved Modifications to SmartWay Verified Aerodynamic Equipment for Trailers, and 2) Requirements for Obtaining California Air Resources Board Approval for Modifications (Wind Tunnel Test Procedure).
  • SmartWay Verified Low Rolling Resistance Tires: Archived Tire List (Posted October 4, 2012)
    The California Air Resources Board has posted on its website a list of SmartWay Low Rolling Resistance tire models that are no longer verified, but can still be used in meeting the LRR tire requirements of the Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas Regulation.
  • Clarification of Low Rolling Resistance Tire Requirements for 2010 and Older Tractors (Posted October 2, 2012)
    The California Air Resources Board has issued Advisory MSC 12-19 to explain how the low rolling resistance tire requirements for 2010 and older model year tractors will be implemented. Affected tractors must use SmartWay verified tires (new or retread) by January 1, 2013. However, if a non-compliant tire was manufactured or retreaded (as determined by the U.S. Department of Transportation “DOT” date stamp on the sidewall) before January 1, 2013, the tractor may continue using it until the end of its useful tread life, or until January 1, 2015, whichever comes first. After January 1, 2015, all tires on affected tractors must be SmartWay verified, regardless of when they were manufactured.
  • Small Fleet Registration Deadline Extended (Posted September 25, 2012)
    The California Air Resources Board has issued Advisory MSC 12-17 to notify stakeholders that the registration deadline for the Small Fleet Compliance Plan has been extended to January 1, 2013. This extension will allow fleets with 20 or fewer affected trailers that have not already registered to use a compliance option under the regulation to participate in the Small Fleet Compliance Plan.
  • Small Fleet Reporting (Posted August 31)
    If you have a fleet of 20 or fewer 53-foot or longer box trailers and you missed the September 1, 2012 deadline to register for the small fleet compliance phase-in, you should still register per the regulatory requirements as soon as possible. ARB can exercise discretion in how we implement the regulation, and may take into consideration a good faith effort in determining compliance.
  • Diesel Hotline's FAQs- includes answers to Tractor-Trailer GHG Regulation questions (Posted August 13)
    Questions callers ask the diesel hotline staff are posted on the Diesel Hotline's Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Establishes Standards for SmartWay Low Rolling Resistance Retreads (Posted June 21, 2012)
    U.S. EPA has announced the establishment of interim performance requirements for a tire retread verification program, and is now accepting applications from tire manufacturers for verification of their retread products. Once the tire retread products are verified with U.S. EPA, they can be used to comply with California’s Tractor-Trailer GHG regulation low rolling resistance tire requirements.
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