CARB extends compliance deadline

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has extended the reporting deadline of its Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas regulation for large fleets with 21 or more 53-foot or longer box-type trailers from July 1, 2011 to August 1, 2011.

The regulation provides large fleets with the option to either bring all of their pre-2011 model year trailers into compliance with the requirements of the regulation by July 1, 2013, or to phase-in compliance over a period of five years, with the condition that fleets first register with CARB if choosing this option.

CARB Advisory 429 extends the reporting deadline from the original deadline of July 1, 2011 to August 1, 2011 to register for the phase-in option.

Registration for the large fleet compliance phase-in option can be completed at secure.arb.ca.gov/ssltrucrs/trucrs_reporting/reporting.php.

CARB estimates that from 2010 to 2020, the regulation is expected to reduce 33 million metric tons of CO2 emissions nationwide. The more aerodynamic trucks and trailers are estimated to save about 3 billion gallons of diesel fuel from nationwide operations.

Fleet owners can expect to see a return on their investment for skirts, tires and fairings within 2.3 years if they travel 100,000 miles per year, says CARB.

Fleets with 20 or fewer box-type trailers have until July 1, 2012 to report.

Additionally, the regulation currently requires all 2011 model year tractors that pull 53-foot or longer box-type trailers and all 2011 model year 53-foot or longer box-type trailers to be SmartWay certified or be retrofit to comply.

Fleets that have 2011 model year equipment and qualify for the short haul or local haul exemptions must report information about their 2011 model year equipment now.

Reporting of other tractors and trailers within the fleet is not required at this time.