U.S. EPA Approves Waivers for California to Set Stricter Vehicle Emission Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA on Dec. 18 approved requests for waivers from the California Air Resources Board to implement two regulations to address emissions from passenger cars and heavy-duty vehicles. The Clean Air Act permits California to set its own emissions standards, separate from EPA regulations, by requesting a waiver from the EPA for new motor vehicle emission standards.

The federal waivers allow California to implement the Advanced Clean Cars II, or ACCII rule, for light-duty vehicles and the Heavy-Duty Omnibus regulation to lower nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles and engines. The agency performed a thorough review process which included feedback from the public on the feasibility of the regulations such as potential costs and delays to manufacturers, before approving the waiver requests.

The ACCII regulations require the state to increase the sales of ZEVs each year until 2035 when 100 percent of all vehicles sold must be zero emissions. In recent years, California has seen increasing sales of clean vehicles every year. Earlier this year, the California Energy Commission revealed that the state had surpassed sales targets for both light-duty and heavy-duty ZEVs two years ahead of schedule, and the first quarter light-duty ZEV sales of 2024 were the highest of any year.

The board expects ACCII will result in maintenance and fuel cost savings of $7500 for ZEV drivers in the first decade of use and over a 25 percent reduction in harmful pollutants with potential healthcare cost savings of $13 billion for Californians.

In the Heavy-Duty Omnibus Regulation, manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles must adhere to stricter vehicle emissions standards. The rule modifies engine testing procedures, extends engine warranties, and will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy-duty vehicles by 90 percent. The board expects $23 billion in cost savings from improvements such as reduced respiratory illnesses.