When California unleashed its rules on the sale of fossil-fuel-burning rigs, creating what the RV industry says is essentially a ban on motorhomes, RV Travel readers reacted quickly. Readers have left a mountain of comments, with much of it critical of Golden State regulators. Regarding the regulation and its effects, is it “all over but the shouting”? Apparently not, as CARB and RV manufacturers are actively talking with each other.
CARB and RV manufacturers met earlier this week
A release published on RVbusiness.com says that RVIA (RV Industry Association) officials and “several of our motorhome manufacturer members” met up earlier this week with staffers from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Interestingly, the meet wasn’t at RVIA’s request, but rather, CARB asked the industry to come in and talk about the issue.
CARB wanted to know more about comments that the RV industry had officially submitted. These were in connection with the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation. This is the essential part of the motorhome sales “ban” that has stung RV manufacturers and buyers. CARB continues to insist that its regulation has not banned the sale of motorhomes. It contends that the new regulation leaves a way out for motorhomes to continue to be sold. This is through a system involving chassis manufacturers either producing some “zero emissions” chassis, or by buying credits from those that do.
The RVIA says that chassis manufacturers have told them they can’t produce CARB-compliant chassis. CARB, when it asked for the meeting with RVIA, said it wanted to know more about what those chassis manufacturers have told motorhome builders about why they can’t deliver the needed frameworks.
“Wide ranging discussion” when industry met government
The meeting happened on Tuesday, November 19. There, CARB staff reviewed the various regulations that are impacting the motorhome industry. That included not only the ACT regulation. It included other regulations impacting the industry including the Omnibus Low NOx rule, and the Advanced Clean Fleets rule.
After CARB laid out its presentation, “a wide-ranging discussion was held with our members,” says the industry release. “We repeated our belief that an exemption or a delay in implementation from the ACT would be of greatest benefit to allow the industry to continue to provide motorhomes to dealers and customers in the state.”
CARB responded to that suggestion somewhat affirmatively. It told the industry guests that it has the authority to create exemptions to the regulation. The release says, “This is different than what CARB has said on other regulations when they stated that allowable exemption[s] are set by the law which created the rule, not by CARB.” How this will play out remains to be seen.
While the bottom-line of the CARB and RV manufacturers’ meeting sounds like an impasse, both sides’ representatives agreed to continue talking. They’ll will meet again in early December.
RELATED
- BREAKING: New California emission rule halts diesel motorhome sales in 6 states
- California, other states, may soon ban motorhome sales
- Some fuel prices will go up due to new California air rules. How big will the jump be?
- Washington state mirrors California’s motorhome ban
##RVT1184b
I don’t know why the RV industry is meeting with these bastards. Just dial up the lawyers and sue them for restricting free trade. Last time I checked it was against the Constitution.
It’s going to come down to : how much $$ are you willing to give us to be able to sell your product in this state ??
All about the Benjamin’s.
What did people expect from the extremists in California? It was just a matter of time, now it becomes a matter of money. I personally think that California has taken on the Hollywood movie thing and gone to being unrealistic.
It actually doesn’t sound like an impasse, they will continue to talk. Reading the link referenced https://rvbusiness.com/rvia-oems-meet-with-carb-discussions-are-to-continue/ which says:
(cont’d)
(cont’d)
There is a FAQ section that is interesting reading as well. For instance:
So there are existing exemptions.
Good…I can keep my M-48 tank.
If there is an “exemption” for RVs, why not big trucks? In fact, just rescind this economy killing reg altogether. Rescind Newsome while you’re at it.
Tommy, are you a Californian? I’m betting you aren’t minding your business
I was. I left 25 years ago after reading the writing on the wall 35 years ago.
I myself left California through a serendipitous circumstance. I was born in SoCal, but at 14 years old in 1972, my step father took a job in Albuquerque. Never went back but for a few brief visits, thank GOD!!
I only lived in CA for about eight years. Like “john the road again” below, Wifey and I saw the writing on the wall and bailed out. Best move ever.
In my opinion, the only reason CARB is meeting with RVIA is to feel out if RVIA is preparing a big fat lawsuit.
On what grounds? California has been allowed to set its own standards for decades.
How about Interstate commerce in the U.S.Constitution…free flow of commerce between states should not be impeded. The Sherman Act (1890), followed by the Clayton Act (1914), made illegal any acts that tended to interfere in free competition between and among industries, businesses, and all interstate commercial ventures.
How does this ban “all” motorhomes? What about gas motorhomes?
Meet the pollution standards, you can sell RVs. Sounds like the auto industry years ago.
Which in 10 years means all EV. Motorized RVs of all classes in several states will only be for the very wealthy.
I am sure the intent of the law was not to ban RV sales. Sounds like they are working through the issues in CA. Hope the same thing is happening in Olympia. Good luck RVIA.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! I understand that Freightliner and Spartan want to be able to provide chassis to RV manufacturers, who, in turn, want to sell diesel pushers nationwide. CARB has its own goals. I understand that the manufacturers want to delay the restrictions, but I don’t see it as more than a delaying action. It seems highly unlikely that Freightliner or Spartan will begin producing ZEVs in the next decade. Are they working on chassis for electric over-the-road trucks, ambulances, or fire trucks? It seems as though the only long-term answer is to allow exceptions to RVs built on Freightliner and Spartan chassis for at least 10 years. Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂