NTEA – The Work Truck Association has reported that on May 15, the courts accepted an agreement in NTEA’s lawsuit, which requires CARB to repeal the High-Priority and Drayage provisions of the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule. This rule would have required the affected fleets to purchase increasing percentages of zero-emission trucks.
California has agreed that the lawsuit, filed jointly by NTEA and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in October 2024, will be held in abeyance with the courts until the California Air Resources Board (CARB) formally repeals the regulation as required by the agreement between CARB, the California Attorney General, NTEA and SEMA.
CARB’s regulations call for all trucks and buses sold by 2036 to be zero-emission and fleets to be fully zero-emission by 2045. This was to be accomplished through the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, which requires OEMs to sell zero-emission vehicles, and the ACF, which requires fleets to purchase them on a phased-in schedule.
“This resolution marks a significant win for our members and the entire commercial vehicle industry,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president & CEO. “Ultimately, work trucks must be available, capable and affordable. Our concern was never about the goal of cleaner vehicles—it was about how to realistically get there.
“NTEA has long advocated for achievable solutions that align with the real-world applications of commercial vehicles, and this outcome helps ensure our members can continue to build and supply the vehicles that are essential for commerce.”
California’s agreement with NTEA and SEMA requires that CARB present a proposal to repeal the High-Priority Fleet and Drayage Fleet Requirements of the ACF regulation in a public hearing no later than Oct. 31. Further, CARB agrees not to take any enforcement action under the High-Priority Fleet or Drayage Fleet Requirements during the repeal process, according to the NTEA statement.
Once CARB officially repeals the portions of the ACF subject to the lawsuit, NTEA will voluntarily dismiss the complaint, the association noted.