Looking to buy a new diesel motorhome? If you live in one of six states, you may find you can’t. A new air quality regulation issued in California has effectively slammed the door on new diesel motorhome sales, not just in California, but in five other states as well.
California motorhome rule kills sales
On October 24, CARB (the California Air Resources Board) amended its Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) regulations. Essentially, these new regulations require that all vehicles over 8,500 pounds GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) must produce zero emissions. A credit system allows manufacturers to continue to sell a given number of fossil-fuel engines in California, provided they have non-polluting vehicles to offset.
Two major diesel chassis builders, Spartan and Freightliner, have told Newmar RV that they can’t meet that requirement. In a letter to dealers, Newmar says that effective today, November 4, they will no longer be able to provide any diesel-fueled motorhomes on those platforms.
Five other states affected by California motorhome rule
How does this affect other states? Five other states have signed onto the CARB Advanced Clean Truck bandwagon. According to the Newmar letter to dealers, residents of California, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts will NOT be able to register a motorhome that is not in compliance with the ACT regulation.
The new regulation isn’t just limited to Newmar. We spoke with Tim DeMartini, owner of DeMartini RV Sales. Tim attended the recent CARB meeting on the ACT regulation. DeMartini told us he pleaded with the board to allow RVs an exemption to the regulation—to no avail. DeMartini says his California-based dealership sells huge numbers of motorhomes, and under the new regulation, his business is at stake. While he is a Newmar dealer, Tim tells us the law applies to all motorhomes. His outfit has posted a YouTube video that explains the situation.
DeMartini is quick to point out that California residents who think they can do an end-run around the new California motorhome rule should think twice. Leave the state, buy the motorhome of your choice, and bring it back to California—hit a brick wall. California residents will NOT be allowed to register their rig if it doesn’t meet the ACT regulations. The same may be true in the other five states. DeMartini said dealers in Washington state are working to get an exemption for RVs under Washington’s law, but it remains to be seen whether that will happen.
Newmar says only Ford produces a chassis it can sell
According to the Newmar letter, as of now the only motorhome chassis that it will be able to sell to residents of any of the six states is from Ford. “Ford has implied confirmation that the F53 chassis will be available for California and the other listed states as they have access to credits from their EV production,” says Newmar.
What can be done about the California motorhome rule? Tim DeMartini says it might not be too late for California residents. He says they should contact their lawmakers and demand a waiver for RVs under the new CARB regulation.
This is a rapidly evolving story. We’ll stay on top of it and keep you informed.
For more information on CARB, click here.
##RVT1182b
Looking at the six states states signing on to this nonsense, they are no surprise.
Here in Oregon, we have so many California transplants we might as well be called Northern California. It’s no wonder Oregon embraces Cali values.
Nevada may soon become #7
Agreed Bill. It’s not the same state we moved to in 1988.
Sadly, Ca. isn’t the same state it was back in the day either
Here we go in the land of the free with California dictating what the USA can and cannot do.. What a American Dream we have.
They can dictate to the soyboys on the West Coast but OUR Governor, Ron DeSantis, has already put Newsome in his place and will never allow Florida to be pushed around by Newsome, or any other Governor in the Country. I moved to Florida in 1986 and it was the best move I ever made!
Once again, the non-elected, political appointees with no accountability comprising CARB have made a ruling which effectively prohibits free choice and will kill a market segment which is not a large part of generating emissions. Way past time to shut down this ship of fools.
Might be that it’s way past time for the residents of these States to vote for a different type of Representative. And if they keep voting the same, they are reaping what they have sown! You can always go down the “other” path!
This should have happened long ago…back in the 1960’s before the Berkeley crowd took over.
Agree totally!
California at it again.
This also affects all semis and work vehicles as well.
Might just be time to move away from here…
This made my day Bill. Not because it causes pain for my California friends but simply for the entertainment value California continues to provide us ‘flyover country rubes’ that are not as “enlightened” as the Beaurocrats you have to deal with in the enlightened land of crazy.
Happy trails.
Not to worry there are plenty of those people infesting other states…they have been at it for years…driving up prices.
So, is the front engine diesel configuration coming back to the F 53 chassis due to the credits that Ford has from its EV units? Or is there a F53 rear diesel available?
Does this apply to used diesel RV’s being brought into those states? Can they get a license if you move into one of those states?
Just guessing here but I would think so, only because it applies to new registrations when doing a new registration. Maybe not, maybe so.
The end run would possibly be South Dakota or Montana tags under out of state corporations for California residents.
I don’t think that matters for California because I am unaware of anyone moving to California which is why they continue to lose congressional seats to other states that are attracting new residents simply by not being freakin nuts. The other 5 states will probably go the same way with congressional representation.
Good response CP.
Seriously? You’re unaware of anyone moving to California? Not only did people (obviously) move to CA in 2023, they had a net increase of 67,000 people last year. Just because it’s not for you doesn’t mean other people don’t love it.
According to Macrotrends dot net:
California Population
The population of California in
2023 was 38,965,193, a 0.19% decline from 2022.
2022 was 39,040,616, a 0.27% decline from 2021.
2021 was 39,145,060, a 0.91% decline from 2020.
2020 was 39,503,200, a 0.17% increase from 2019.
California is still #1 in outward migration as of May, 2024 losing over 18,000 people as of May.
Unless you include illegals being counted as inward migration, which is likely the case, you are simply incorrect. Newsom uses illegals to offset this negetive narrative as part of his continued lie. Why do you think he pushes so hard to have illegals included in the census counts? Duh?
The ACT regulations will affect ALL diesel motorhomes, new or used.
Hahaha, heeheehee, hohoho. 🤣😂🤣😂😅🤣
This is beautiful ….. hahaha. LMAO. 🤣😅😂😅🤣
This is actually pretty sad to see and hear..plus gasoline prices just might go up another 45 cents per gallon in a few weeks…unelected officials, oh my!
Ya get what ya vote for!
I didnt vote for any of it..but still have to live with the outcome
And that is the unfortunate part Bill. people like you have to put up with what you know is just so much virtue signalling by a crazy Board of unelected Board of Bureaucrats!
Looks like almost all of the central valleys (Sacramento and San Joaquin) voted red but have to have this shoved down their throats.
Bill, sorry for that. I hear you, being a Minnesota resident in a similar situation. The only vote left for you and me, and others like us, is not in the ballot box but with our feet.
I got it, but didn’t vote for it….
All democrat States that want no fossil fuel but can’t supply the Electricity to sustain zero emission Vehicles. Take California for example. They want to mandate EV’s but right after saying that, they tell the people of Ca. that you can’t charge your vehicles on many days, because of Blackouts and Electricity shortages. You just can’t make this stuff up! Keep voting for these people! You get what you deserve when you do!
Let’s see if I get censored on this post as well.
Hi, Ed. Nope, this is much better. Thanks!👍 Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane aka Big Sister (“BS”) at RVtravel.com
I just get frustrated sometimes Diane. These are new regulations but everyone on here knows how absolutely insane they are! So how can the people that are supposed to be governing these States be allowed to take them so far out of reality? I want to have some sympathy for the people that live in these States but I just can’t. They voted for these people! Don’t YOU live in Washington? How do you deal with issues like this? These are dictators, not Representatives.
Hi, Ed. Yep, born in Seattle in 1946 and lived here ever since. So what does that make me? Oh, yeah. Really old!😲 Lots of candidates and initiatives being voted on in Washington state, and elsewhere. We’ll see what happens after tomorrow.🤔 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
Hi Diane, the 70’s are the new 55 plus. So my cardiologist, orthopedist, proctologist and psychiatrist- I am self employed- tell me. And I have copies of their bills to prove it. Just from all your work you do for us at RV Travel you can’t be a day over 30. Keep up the good work.
Two years behind you-1948-but recently feel 4 years ahead- 60 years of being a plumber.
Thank you for your very kind words, Jesse.👍 And I’m 78 going on 45, actually.😉 Very lucky and appreciative of my good health. Yep. I’m vertical and I’m moving, so it’s a good day.😄 I hope you have a great day.🤗 –Diane
They represent some
Too bad they don’t want to be a dictator for a day…instead of all the time.
I actually got to drive the Thor hybrid EV motorhome recently and, while it was an early prototype, it was an actual, realistic use case. We shall see what happens but diesel pushers are the dinosaurs of the RV industry as it is.
Here’s the story and video on the Thor: https://www.stresslesscamping.com/honest-rv-reviews/thor-hybrid
It’s still a very “fuggly” RV Tony..🙂
Haven’t seen many RVs of any style powertrain that aren’t “fuggly”, including mine. But going along with my wife .. “I didn’t choose you (me) on looks..”
From the harsh politic comments, it appears that this has turned into a right wing conspiracy thery newsletter.
I’m sure this will get nixed.
No conspiracy…it’s happening.
Wouldn’t it be funny if ALL diesel powered vehicles were banned in ALL states. People can use gassers like we did for years before all this diesel craze came along…with punks blowing coal.
You do realize that the gas motorhomes burn more fuel per mile than the diesels. Plus the absurd law is written for any diesel over 8,800#, my pickup is over that in GVW.
With the latest technologies, diesel engines produce so few emissions that you can put your hand in the tailpipe, swoop it around, and it comes out clean.
When I bought my current 2013 DP used in 2019, I asked my diesel mechanic SIL how I’d know if the emission systems were working. I didn’t believe there would be no soot and fully expected a filthy hand. Nope…clean as could be.
JB…get with it…for some time now, new units aren’t “blowing coal.”
To all those complaining about California crazyness, have you tried breathing the air in LA?
It’s already orders of magnitude better than it was in the ’60s and ’70s.
Air quality is probably one of the lesser problems that LA is dealing with.
The new ACT came out and it has provisions for owners ( for now). As for new DPs that is awful. as well as the loss of value in ownership. It will make it almost impossible to sell a used DP. The act has set pricing per year just being here as well as starting to require annual testing.
They can lock your registration if out of compliance.
It seems that if you had a fleet of delivery trucks poorly maintained and altered to avoid repairs to meet compliance with emissions it would be a good move to enforce the regulations to stop pollution.
There was a waiver for a long time for motorhomes and RVs, no more,
I read they intend to charge just to drive through.
Really sad .
What about all the big rig trucks on the road? There are way more of them than diesel RV’s. And will diesel be more difficult to find? There should be some accommodations to allow for current diesel RV’s, new and used, to allow for changes away from diesel.
Yes, they are cracking down on big rigs too. Shipping costs in CA are going to go way up as trucking companies are forced to replace perfectly good diesel rigs with far more expensive electric ones and then have to pay drivers more for the idle time while they recharge. Many won’t bother and just quit the business.
I wonder if a strike in Cali by the Teamsters and affected truckers would be the impetus needed to reverse this. Imagine all the freight piling up in Cali’s ports, unable to move…and no incoming freight or supplies. That would draw huge national attention.
My biggest worry about this is that a certain recent VP candidate has been on a mission to duplicate his state as Cali…in fact top them if he can. I fear another state may soon be on that list adopting this measure.
We have relatives that are long haul truck drivers. They just will not drive into CA as they have already had horrid restrictions.
How will this effect out of state Motorhome that drive into CA to camp?
This only affects those who wish to purchase and register Class As in the state. It has no effect at all on those coming into the state. At least until they outlaw fuel.
This will be a windfall for my state, where you can create a LLC and register your out-of-state RV for hundreds of dollars instead of the 4-to-5 figures you have to pay in CA. Also, we’ll be selling our surplus electricity to CA at peak rates so they can charge their EVs when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.
Thanks, CA!
Register it in MT and you’re set. This can be done no matter where one actually lives.
South Dakota does this too, only have to stay one night with receipt and you can register your vehicle there.
We are in the process of getting ours registered in SD, stayed out night and now we are waiting for it to be processed.
It’s sad to see the new severe restrictions. We travel full time to enjoy our country and we live on a small budget. I’m sure the new restrictions will trickle down to affect us traveling through these states as well. The reason we have a diesel truck is because you can never fit your one ton dually and 5th wheel into a regular gas station that has limited space.
The thought of having to sell my home is sad
Simple, get out of California.
Wonder if this Tone deaf attitude won’t prompt even more people to exit some of these states?
Another perfect example of authoritarian busy bullies imposing their will on society.
What worries me more than the lunacy of these states not allowing registration of diesel vehicles is if they start banning sales of diesel to all motorhomes.
It never ceases to amaze me the amount of idiocy that has come out of the “Golden State’s” legislature over the years. Sadly, it tends to metastasize like a cancer to other parts of the USA…
Yes, since enactment of term limits. Instead of pros the child amateurs in for six years who know nothing pass monumental laws.
And it is these same states can’t understand how Trump got elected. CARB is a board with no elected officials. This way the politicians can distance themselves and still promote the left agenda.
Plain and simple fact, leftist thugs are taking our freedoms away. You just can’t argue that.
All blue States. Go figure….
Nothing to fear! Our police agencies stopped enforcing stale license plate tags years ago unless driver is stopped for another reason. Same as dark tinted windows, not coming to a complete stop before right turn, talking on handheld cell phone, no front plate etc.
We had an election 🇺🇸…this article is irrelevant
Game, set, match!!! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Yes we did have an election. Funny thing is, CA these nut cases make up their own as they go along and defy the Federal Govt.
Fake news…
In California, an expired registration is only a sign off ticket. Just have a friend sign the citation and mail it in, IF you get cited at all. California is out of control and I stopped writing citations for expired tags years ago. When I retired, I stopped paying car registration before I moved from there. I figured, if illegal aliens could pay a couple of dollars to the court clerk, then drive away without paying registration, well, so can citizens.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! CARB was thought by me and many of my work colleagues at the U.S. Department of Energy’s statistical agency as normally “out of control.” This ham-fisted ruling is frighteningly consistent with that reputation. I do wonder why Californians put up with it? I can only conclude that they support its rulings, or they have yet to be adversely affected by them. Have a great week and safe travels!
Maybe its time for all RV owners to boycott California and the other 5 states, No travel Period. Montana LLCs will become very Popular
And the scary part here is that Ca. Gov. Newsom is ramping up for a run for President in 2028!!! Could you imagine the United States turning into California?? Such a scary thought!!