THE california Air Resources Board (CARB) will delay its ban on all non-compliant zero-emission harbour trucks until the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decides on whether a waiver under the Clean Air Act is justified, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.
Industry sources say it could take nine months to a year for EPA to rule on the question. But once it does, any new non-compliant trucks will be banned from California ports and rail yards.
'This is just a stay of enforcement,' said Matt Schrap, CEO of the Harbour Trucking Association, which represents truckers in southern and northern California.
CARB adopted the rule in April to compel the introduction zero-emmission trucks, and to create a market to manufacture them. Truckers say they will need financial aid if eco-targets are to be met. CARB says the rules will result in 1.69 million zero-emission vehicles in California by 2050.
Harbour trucks and buses, the easiest to electrify, are the first be targeted by CARB. In 2036, the sale of new big rig diesels will be banned in California.
CARB indicated in a statement that drayage operators should view Thursday's decision as just a temporary reprieve in enforcement of the ACF regulation.
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Industry sources say it could take nine months to a year for EPA to rule on the question. But once it does, any new non-compliant trucks will be banned from California ports and rail yards.
'This is just a stay of enforcement,' said Matt Schrap, CEO of the Harbour Trucking Association, which represents truckers in southern and northern California.
CARB adopted the rule in April to compel the introduction zero-emmission trucks, and to create a market to manufacture them. Truckers say they will need financial aid if eco-targets are to be met. CARB says the rules will result in 1.69 million zero-emission vehicles in California by 2050.
Harbour trucks and buses, the easiest to electrify, are the first be targeted by CARB. In 2036, the sale of new big rig diesels will be banned in California.
CARB indicated in a statement that drayage operators should view Thursday's decision as just a temporary reprieve in enforcement of the ACF regulation.
SeaNews Turkey