It’s been nearly a decade since the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) issued regulations banning the use of all tractors powered by 2006 and older engines. Starting January 1, 2023, tractors with 2009 and older engines are banned from operating in California and the Ports of Los Angles and Long Beach. This means that at year’s end 80,000 tractors that currently operate in California will no longer be able to.
CARB will begin its enforcement by denying registrations and renewals for all 2010 and earlier models under the assumption that all vehicles through 2010 model years have 2009 or older engines.
The rule does not just impact vehicles registered in California as out of state vehicles doing business across state lines must also comply with the CARB regulations. California officials have said they will first focus efforts on compliance through registrations and renewals, and once California-domiciled vehicles are compliant, the state will deploy its inspectors to the ports to identify any out of state operators that are not compliant.
While there are a few exceptions and exemptions to these regulations, such as low usage and 2010 models that are 2010 emissions compliant, operators are required to file the paperwork with CARB and/or CA DMV to establish this.
All of Whisk Logistics’ tractors are fully compliant with the latest CARB standards, so there will be no impact on Whisk operations when the new regulations go into effect; however, Overdrive estimates that nearly 80,000 trucks could be impacted, or about 17% of California’s commercial motor vehicle fleet. With the new and used tractor market experiencing low inventory and hefty price hikes, many operators may be forced off California roadways. While most West Coast ports have worked through the backlog of vessels that reached a high of 100+ back in January 2022, when volumes pick up again there will be substantially fewer tractors available to satisfy the demand.
With a hands-on team and decades of experience, Whisk Logistics is a 3rd generation family-owned business that specializes in drayage, transportation and logistics solutions from the Ports of LA and Long Beach.
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