California's 2024 Truck Engine Landscape: A Mix of Progress and Uncertainty
April 10, 2024 - 8:03:57 am

The clock is ticking for truck manufacturers seeking to comply with California's stringent new emission regulations. As of April 1st, 2024, only engines certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as meeting the state's Omnibus rule can be used in new trucks destined for California.

CARB Certifications Granted, But Questions Remain

While CARB has certified over 40 engines from various manufacturers, key details remain unclear. Here's what we know:

• Leading the Pack: Cummins holds the most certifications (14), followed by General Motors (7), Ford (6), and others. Engine types include diesel, gasoline, and natural gas.
• Production and Availability: Limited information exists on production schedules and when engines will reach dealerships.

Reaching Out for Clarity

Trucks, Parts, Service contacted major manufacturers for clarification on their California engine plans. Responses were scarce:

• Cummins: No response regarding engine availability.
• Paccar: MX 11 and MX 13 diesel engines are certified, but Kenworth and Peterbilt offered no details on rollout or availability.
• Detroit Diesel: Offers a limited selection (4) on CARB's website. Daimler Trucks North America states California customers can choose between their own DD13, DD16 engines, electric powertrains, or the Cummins X15.
• Volvo: Offers three certified diesel engines (D11, D13 VGT, D13 TC) for Class 8 applications. California fleets can also choose electric vehicles or a limited number of non-compliant "legacy" diesels. However, restrictions exist on diesel purchases due to CARB's Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandates.
• International: No response regarding engine availability.
• Mack Trucks: No response regarding rollout and availability (their engines are included in Volvo Group's certifications).

California Dealers and The 49-State Option

A January amendment allows California dealers to sell 49-state compliant engines to customers operating outside the state. However, for California-based fleets, access to these newly certified engines will determine how many trucks they can add to their operations in the coming years.

Looking Forward - A Long Road to a Unified Solution

A return to a single, nationwide engine standard seems far off. California's regulations push manufacturers to innovate and adopt cleaner technologies. While progress is evident, a lack of transparency around production and availability creates uncertainty for California fleets looking to upgrade their trucks.