Truck manufacturers group files lawsuit seeking more lead time for CARB regulation

From Transport Topics.

The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association filed a federal lawsuit May 27 alleging that California environmental regulators have failed to give manufacturers enough lead time to meet the state’s new, more rigid emission standards.

In its lawsuit, filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, EMA alleges that the federal Clean Air Act requires that manufacturers be given “four full model years” of lead time before new emission standards become effective.

The manufacturers said that the California Air Resources Board gave them only two years.

“On Dec. 22, 2021, CARB adopted the Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus Regulation, a package of stringent emission standards, test procedures and other emission-related requirements applicable to new heavy-duty on-highway engines and vehicles sold in California,” EMA said in a statement. “The Omnibus Regulation requires heavy-duty engine and vehicle manufacturers to comply with the new standards on Jan. 1, 2024, providing manufacturers only two years of lead time.”

EMA said the Omnibus Regulations would require engine manufacturers to redesign, test and build their engines to comply with all of the new requirements.

“This lawsuit is simply to ensure that CARB follows all of the prescribed rules — one of which is intended to maximize the likelihood of the smooth and successful implementation of new emission standards,” EMA President Jed Mandel said in a statement.

See the complete article online at Transport Topics.