Do you own a 2010 or older model year diesel truck in California?

If yes, then your truck registration may not be renewable this year, according to DVM.ORG.

California placed new carbon emission regulations effective in January 2020. These regulations are aimed at removing diesel trucks with a model year of 2010 or older from the roads. The state expects all commercial trucks to pass these new emission standards by January 2023. Failure to do so may mean your older model year truck will no longer be renewable for registration with the DMV, making the truck illegal to drive on the road.

California is executing this regulation in a phased rollout based on the model year of the truck. The helpful graphic below shows when the compliance verification begins based on the truck’s model year. This year, trucks 2004 or older may be impacted. In 2021, truck owners with a 2005 to 2007 diesel truck may need to replace these trucks. The full regulation begins in 2023 when model year 2008 to 2010 diesel trucks complete the compliance verification.

The regulation applies to nearly all diesel-fueled trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds.
 

The California Air Resource Board (CARB) has been trying to make this diesel exhaust change for over ten years, but small businesses were struggling to comply because of how costly making the change is. When trying to make the change, companies were going out of business. But with the new push to comply, CARB has created a few financial programs to help these commercial trucking business.

Available Assistance for truck owners who are not compliant with the new regulations.

In 2009, CARB launched a Truck Loan Assistance Program to help small business fleet owners that are affected by CARB’s In-Use Truck and Bus Regulation, to secure financing for upgrades to their fleets with newer trucks or with diesel exhaust retrofits. According to CARB, this program is being offered as a partnership with the State Treasurer’s Office’s California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) through its California Capital Access Program (CalCAP).

Here are some details about the program to qualify according to CARB.

• Truck fleets with 10 or fewer heavy-duty vehicles
• Small business (fewer than 100 employees)
• Generate less than $10 million in annual revenue
• Operate primarily in California.

The loan can be used to fund trucks with 2007 – 2009 model year engines (must comply with 1.2 g/bhp-hr NOx standard); trucks with 2010 and newer model year engines; CARB-verified diesel emission control systems (exhaust retrofits); and engines that use diesel fuel, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), or other fuels.

You can access information about the program here. You can also contact participating CalCAP lenders and complete the loan application. We’ve linked a list of lenders here. Once you contact a lender, you will need to fill out the Borrow Eligibility Criteria and Certification Form.

Your nearest California-based FUSO dealership can offer assistance as well.

What does this mean for FUSO truck owners?

This new regulation may require FUSO customers with older diesel trucks to trade-up to a newer, complaint model year diesel or gasoline truck. Your nearest FUSO dealership can walk you through the product line-up and determine which truck is right for your business. This quarter, FUSO dealerships are offering special discounts on remaining late-year model FE DIESEL or FG GAS trucks.

You should contact your nearest dealership to speak specifically about available inventory. Truck owners can also work with their preferred participating FUSO truck dealers to coordinate financing though participating CalCAP lenders.