The California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously approved a first-in-the-nation regulation mandating truck manufacturers to increase their sale of electric trucks in California through 2035.

CARB’s Advanced Clean Truck rule is designed to put more zero-emission vehicles on the road to help meet the State’s air quality across Southern California and the Central Valley.

CARB Chair Mary Nichols called the rule “the first of its kind in the world.”

Image: www.arb.ca.gov

The rule will start in 2024 with requirements for zero-emission trucks to make up 5 to 9 percent of sales, depending on truck size, and gradually increase through 2035, when 55 percent of sales of light trucks, 75 percent of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and 40 percent of tractor-trailers will have to be zero-emissions.

Governor Newsom praised the new rule calling it “… an example of California’s ability to stay the course on climate change… Even in the midst of a global pandemic, climate change is still an existential threat — both to our way of life and our children’s health. Communities and children of color are often forced to breathe our most polluted air, and today’s vote moves us closer toward a healthier future for all of our kids.”

CARB approved the regulation over industry objections, including truck and engine manufacturers and natural gas companies that would prefer the rule count natural gas-fueled vehicles toward the targets.