SAN DIEGO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s state is forging ahead with regulations that will terminate older, polluting trucks from Golden State highways.

In a seminar at the Diesel Exhaust Fluid forum in San Diego, Tony Brasil of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), explained how the state isgoing above and beyond EPA’s engine emission rules with a draft regulation that would expedite the purchase of new, smog-free 2010 engines or require carriers hauling in California to retrofit pre-2007 model trucks with soot filters.

Brasil also announced the proposal of a new green house gas (GHG)-based regulation that would require heavy-duty trucks and trailers to be SmartWay certified over the next decade.

A Fair Rule? Trailer fairings, as well as anti-idling devices
will be the norm in the Golden State over the next decade

The first rule requires truckers to either purchase 2010 model year engines or install particulate matter controls prior to 2012. The government expects to equip almost all vehicles working in the state by 2014.

The GHG proposal would require 2011 or newer tractors to be SmartWay approved (click here for a list of certified models). As would all 2011 or newer, 53-foot box trailers such as dry vans, reefers or curtain-side vans.

Equipment would have to be spec’d or retrofitted with a variety of fuel-saving technologies such as idle reduction (APUs, battery systems, thermal storage systems); aerodynamics (fairings); and wheel and tire systems (automatic tire inflation, roll resistant tires).

Large fleets would be phased in between 2010 and 2016, while small fleets (30 or fewer) would have to comply between 2013 and 2017.

CARB will vote on the latter plan in December.