“If nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold and registered in California beginning in 2025. The exact date is still to be determined.” —RVIA
On Monday we broke the news about what boils down to a ban of motorhome sales in California and five other states. At the time, our understanding was the clamp-down would affect only diesel motorhomes. It does not, as many gas motorhomes will likewise be affected. And, hold on. While sales of affected motorhomes in those states will cease in 2025—several other states will follow suit thereafter. The RVIA has rung in with more information, which we’ll cover here.
This morning, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) released a fact sheet on the motorhome near-total “ban” situation. You can read the entire fact-sheet here, but we’ll boil the matter down in this story.
Motorhome ban controversy—its genesis
What created the situation? This year, California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation, which aims to promote zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), will effectively create a near-total “ban” on motorhome sales in the state. Other states that follow California’s ACT regulation will see a similar shutdown. The regulation doesn’t directly spell out a ban on motorhomes. But it does force medium- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers to increase the percentage of ZEVs they sell each year. Result? These manufacturers simple turned off the supply of old-fashioned internal combustion engine chassis. They’ve done this simply because they don’t have a supply of chassis fit for motorhome use.
The RV industry saw it coming. Since 2020 it’s been working with CARB (the California Air Resources Board—creator of ACT) on how these regulations would affect the industry and RVers. Industry had hoped CARB would work in an exemption for recreational vehicles. That didn’t happen. The situation is further complicated by more than just the ACT regulation. It also involves a trio of regulations passed in the last two to three years: the ACT, the Omnibus Low NOx rule, and the Advanced Clean Fleets rule. Together, these regulations are designed to transition medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2036.
“If nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold”
So, here’s the nut of the matter, and we quote the RVIA fact sheet directly: “The RV Industry Association continues to work with CARB staff on the ACT with their staff looking to hear more from our members and understand why chassis manufacturers will not be able to deliver products. While we are continuing to work with manufacturers, dealers, and CARB to find a solution, if nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold and registered in California beginning in 2025. The exact date is still to be determined.”
“If nothing changes.” If the RV industry and CARB can’t come to a meeting of the minds—and at this point it looks like a deadlock—many motorhomes simply won’t be sold or registered in California as of sometime in 2025. When we say “many” motorhomes, just what are the brass tacks?
Motorhome ban—Just what won’t be able to be sold?
Here’s the answer, according to the RVIA fact sheet. “While the majority of the attention thus far has focused on Class A and Class C diesel motorhomes, the regulation, with a few exceptions, applies to all medium-duty or heavy-duty vehicles with combustion engines. Any non-exempted on-road vehicle over 8,500 GVWR is included [and] is covered by the regulation, including Class B motorhomes most of which have a GVWR over that amount.”
As we mentioned in our previous article, Ford indicates that it has enough ZEV credits to still sell some motorhome-useable chassis. In a letter from motorhome manufacturer Newmar to its dealers, the company wrote, “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.”
Some other industries are working to keep in the game by purchasing so-called “clean air credits.” This would allow them to continue to exceed air pollution limits. The RVIA is convinced that won’t work for the motorhome industry. The fact sheet says this: “CARB insists that this regulation gives flexibility to chassis manufacturers in being able to buy and sell ZEV credits to allow them to build combustion engine chassis. The amendments approved last month will also permit secondary vehicle manufacturers to buy and sell these credits.
“However, neither of these provisions will guarantee that chassis manufacturers will utilize these credits, which are likely to be expensive on the open market and would add another layer of cost to producing a motorhome with a combustion engine chassis. Thus, the RV Industry Association does not believe that a solution that offers only one path for compliance (purchasing expensive ACT credits) is actually a solution at all.”
What about pre-owned motorhomes?
CARB has made it clear that these regulations apply to new motorhomes. Pre-owned motorhomes are exempt, even if built after the ACT regulation went into effect. So just what constitutes “pre-owned” or used vehicle?
That was a question that RVIA for the board. According to the fact-sheet, “CARB said that a used vehicle, defined as one with more than 7,500 miles on the odometer, could be brought in and registered. Any motorhome with less than 7,500 miles would be considered a new vehicle and would have to be compliant in order to be registered.”
Six states next year—more will follow
In RVIA’s view, next year California and these other states will essentially see a shutdown of sales of most motorhomes, diesel or gas. The other states are: Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. However, four more states also observe the ACT regulation. The RVIA predicts Vermont will see a similar shutdown in 2026. And come 2027, the same situation will affect Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, and Rhode Island.
Of specific interest to California residents is this. What if you buy a motorhome in a state that doesn’t comply with ACT and try to register that rig in California? It won’t happen. The RVIA says, “In response to a question at the hearing about non-compliant vehicles coming in from out of state, CARB said that a used vehicle, defined as one with more than 7,500 miles on the odometer, could be brought in and registered. Any motorhome with less than 7,500 miles would be considered a new vehicle and would have to be compliant in order to be registered.” (Italics ours.)
But what if you live in a state that doesn’t observe ACT? Could you buy a “non-compliant” motorhome from a California dealer, with the understanding you’ll register it in your home state? Nope. The prohibition prevents California dealers from selling non-compliant vehicles to anyone, including residents of states not subscribing to ACT.
These new regulations will hit the RV industry in several states hard. And as many readers have pointed out in the past, “Where California goes, there goes the country.” It’s six states in 2025, and up to 10 by 2027. Who knows what the future will hold for the rest of the U.S. Motorhoming, as we know it, could become a thing of the past.
Revised, 11/8/2024 at 10:02, adding the section on pre-owned vehicles and CARB’s view.
##RVT1182b
What is not very clear here is what happens to the used DP market? I am assuming that if you have a pre ‘24 unit, it can be sold and retained in these states?? Good uplift for used pricing – bad for everything else.
I am assuming the same thing Mike. I would imagine that any used unit purchased out of state coming into Cali could not be registered tho?
I hope we get another update on this from Russ and Tina clarifying the used RV caveats. Pre-owned and previously registered in Cali versus Pre-owned but not previously registered in Cali.
Watching closely from Australia, very saddened. Our A Class industry has been wiped out, very interesting timing as we are only now discovering US made big engines en masse, Ford Australia has just released the first US model F-150, sales are going gang-busters and the future looks like its painted red white and blue as the take up of these vehicles herald a new chapter in our diminutive infrastructure, caravans (travel trailers ), fifth wheels, larger boats, horse floats etc etc then trying to use narrow roads small parking spaces, so I think we got out of A Class motorhomes too early, arguably I think they could make a return, certainly if the Asian variants get a foothold.
Seems that Australia has become the harbinger of ridiculous legislation for the English speaking world. Individual freedoms lost.
It sounds to me like used motorhomes with over 7500 miles can still be bought and sold in CA.
These rules are also affecting the car industry. Toyota just weighed in. Maybe the pushback is only starting.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/08/toyota-california-ev-mandates-impossible.html
I have DP on order for February delivery (I live in Pennsylvania). I’m wondering what impact these regs will have over the next 5-10 years on used MH prices. It could mean used prices stay stable or go higher as long as demand is there. Or used prices tumble further if the manufacturers go under, or stop making these models entirely and it is harder to gets parts, service, etc? Comments appreciated.
If…and it’s a big if…CARB leaves the exemption for used>7500 miles long term, it should be a boon to used prices. People in these states won’t give up a dream of owning a MH, but they won’t be buying new. This reduces new units sold on a national basis and increases used demand.
The question is if that exemption is just temporary and for how long. They couldn’t do it all out now or there would be an uproar of current owners in the state. They couldn’t limit it by excluding out of state used due to lessons learned from previous attempts at disrupting interstate trade. But I have no doubt they WANT to.
I hope Trump and the new congress can put a stop to this by removing state by state emissions rule and only have federal rules for all 50 states.
Not sure how that will fly, although I would normally share your sentiment. That’s similar to a Roe V Wade for tailpipes. SCOTUS ruling that states should determine the law that should be applied. But time will tell.
Be careful what you wish for. Sometime in the future, a “non-conservative” administration would quickly implement “Cali” nationwide.
Federal powers can be more devastating than individual states rights/powers. As it is, individuals can choose to move to states that support their particular ideas. Make it Federal and there is no hiding place for you, whether you lean liberal or conservative.
If we’re gonna do away with states’ rules and regulations, why have states at all?
Obviously, I don’t think federal strong arming is the way to go. In any case.
So many stupid people, so little time!
HD trucks will be next.
And, not far off those states will be back to donkeys, horses and buggies. Oh wait, then you’ll have the feces problem from them and the gases that will emit, so I guess we have to go back further to when the wheel was square. Yep, that’ll work.
Nope.😉🙂
square wheels don’t rotate easily.
foot traffic and bicycles (including EBikes of all types) will be dominant.
You see this in cities in China and others.
Around the late 1990’s, California had a $300 “impact” fee when you registered a vehicle that was not certified as CA emissions compliant. This was was taken to court as illegal restraint of interstate trade, and CA lost. They had to refund the $300 for every vehicle that paid the fee. Florida also had a $300 impact fee for registration of any out of state vehicle – they also lost in court and had to refund the fee. I wonder what has changed to allow them to ban out of state vehicles completely under this established court precedent?
Good question and I believe this will wind up in court again.
As a CA resident I’m reading this while in Phoenix at the NASCAR Championships. Camping with 5,000 other RVers, many from CA. Our state is out of control with their utopian ideas and plans. We just saw in the presidential election what happens when “we the people” stick together and vote. The people and industries impacted by these radical ideas of a few need to be challenged by the masses through how we vote, petition campaigns, federal intervention and whatever means possible. This is not just a CA issue as we know how things spread across the country and the loss of significant RV sales will cause prices to rise for everyone.
Amen !
Los Angeles and San Francisco need to be seceded out of the rest of the state. They won’t last long on their own.
Notice on the map that all these states are blue states.
It seems pretty obvious that those same states are not interested in revenue based in people trying to enjoy the environment recreationally. They seem to be saying, save the environment our way, not in an objective fashion.
Do come here to litigate.
Yeah, compare this map to the recent electoral map for President. Almost an exact match to the states that went for Harris.
So, let’s take a look at what this do-gooder and single minded liberal driven hyperbole is suppose to “fix”. The US according to Federal Government figures produces less than 14% of the entire world’s release of CO2. The rest of the word is responsible for over 86% of it. How much is released in California? With its larger than average population let’s say 1/25 the of the entire country’s total, or about .56 of one percent of the total. How much of that falls back on motor homes? It’s probably in the thousandth of one percent of that much. We all can see it’s all smoke and mirrors and lip service that will cost the economic of just this one state millions of dollars in job loss. Insane.
You also have to presume that CO2 is harmful. You must accept the “CO2=☠️” assertion, but what if you don’t even accept this ridiculous and easily disproved presumption if you look in terms of geological times.
What’s sad is it’s impossible to have a reasonable conversation on the benefits of CO2. In my mind, the benefits of CO2 far outweigh any negatives.
“Where California goes, there goes the country.”
In other words, California and the others seem to be more forward looking which is why they are considered leaders in my view.
Their citizens are apparently open to some economic austerity for the sake of the environment and future generations.
Us RV owners are certainly far wealthier than average.
I for one am willing to tighten the belt a bit in regards to voluntary recreational pursuits and activities.
I lean left on some things and lean right on other things, so I’m not trying to be political here.
Just giving my opinion, realizing that I’m in the minority on this forum.
California, the land of [bleeped]. As someone who retired managing logistics and shipping lots of trucks to the west coast, we paid premiums to get loads moved there. Fuel is ridiculous and ports putting in place regulations to force truckers into low emissions rigs and EV’s. They will pay a price in lost business and higher costs on anything in that state. Why live there. All the talk of EV tractor trailers is ludicrous. It can be done but lost run time and payload for the heavier rigs will cause it to add more trucks to the road to move same amount of goods which = higher costs. Can’t fix stupid
At some point, “good weather” won’t be enough to keep people in the state. It’s been happening for several years. It takes a long time for 35M people to migrate. California and New York were the only two states to have population declines. I used to have several RV dealerships headquartered in California. They’ve all moved their HQ out of California and have minimized their exposure in the state.
I live in FL and we were concerned the emigrant New Yorkers would bring down their terrible ideas. The opposite has happened, about 3 out of 4 of these New Yorkers are very conservative. The 75% is a lowball number.
Back in the late 19990s California Hot Rodders and classic vehicle enthusiasts sent in a massive letter-writing campaign to our legislators to halt a CARB act. An act that could have put a major damper on the automotive owners and aftermarket industry.
Perhaps RVIA and other Industry groups, such as National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, can get together with RV owners and groups to make a letter-writing campaign happen again.
Except it didn’t do the hot rodders any good either.
Good. More Californians will come to my state to purchase and register their RVs. We’ll be happy to take their money, along with that for the peak-rate electricity they’ll be outsourcing to charge their EVs when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.
We had an election 🇺🇸…this article is irrelevant
Oregon scrapped the diesel ban. https://www.capitalpress.com/state/oregon/oregon-petroleum-diesel-phase-out-stalls-in-legislature/article_a1017d60-d4cf-11ed-b12a-8fc74d66beec.html
What has happened to our rights of , LIFE-LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS????
Not in Cali.
The Californians voted away their rights starting in the 1980’s and haven’t stopped. The only thing that might stop them is bankruptcy.
“Where California goes, there goes the country.” Nope. Maybe a few states with like-minded, draconian governing bodies, but as a whole, the US sees the folly. My question is, will California be able to take the next step and ban diesel trucks serving other parts of the country from those west coast shipping ports?
Yeah, stupid ideas tend to spread from CA – sort of like metastasizing cancer cells. And just as destructive.
In a sane world that would be a violation of the Commerce clause.
I think Cali will mandate all electric trucks within state lines. I see a new system being created where truckers basically meet at the border and hand off loaded trailers to each other. Electric in CA, diesel outside of CA. Maybe if done right, it won’t be horrible. CA drivers will no longer be long-haul and will get to be home every night. Oh wait, that means now they’ll have to buy/rent a home, which is another problem in CA.
I think you’re right. This will increase the cost to the end-user and higher taxes. However, the one-party state will generate more tax revenue.
If Cal. can justify banning Diesel and Gas RVs, they’ll have no problem banning HD trucks. This will change how products are transported into and around the state. The obvious implication is that all of these products will cost more, which will be borne by the Cal taxpayer. While doing irreparable damage to their citizens (which the Dems couldn’t care less about) in higher costs, the state will generate more tax revenue, which is the only thing that matters.
Will Californians be able to put a stop to this? They never have in the past and they routinely vote for against their best interests.
Will Trump fix it? He probably could, but I’d like to see them stew in it until the ’28 election.
Will politicians travel to their rallys via horse and buggy instead of motor homes?
There is and always will be exemption for the “elite” to do all those things they ban the peasantry from doing.
All they have to do is set the odometer over 7500 to start and sell new as used at full price
More reasons to get the hell out of California. How many more do you need? Next RV parks will be banned and all the tourists with them.
Massachusetts trying so hard to rid itself of taxpayers.
“The exact date is still to be determined.” – means this is a trial balloon. If people speak up this will quickly be reversed. RV’ers CA, OR, WA, NY, NJ, MA speak up!
I am opening a motor home sales lot on the CA border in Nevada. The units I sell will be registered in Nevada (because they can’t be registered in CA). Buyers will enjoy lower Nevada’s lower tax and registration rates.
Idiots.
Now, I’m not a fan of “motorhomes” – because most of the ones I’ve come across were being driven by people who couldn’t successfully manage a VW Bug and had no place behind the wheel of a house sized bus.
But since there’s no actual science linking “carbon emissions” to “climate change” in any verifiably causative manner, the reason for the bans is 100% wrong and should not be allowed to happen.
We live in a free-market not a command economy. The customer obviously wants these luxury mobile road yachts. And therefore the manufacturer has every right to build and sell them one.
RVers. Please don’t vacation in or spend your money in those states.
California allows derelict RVs on the streets as health and safety hazards but forbids new vehicles from being bought, sold or registered.
I see an opportunity to sell odometers that are pre-rolled to 7,501 miles so they can slap them into new motor homes and sell them as “CA-used” new-to-you vehicles.
Ironic, huh? We used to try to roll odometers BACK, not forward…
Motor homes inherently cross state lines so where do states get off thinking they can regulate commerce. It is the job the Federal Congress to regulate commerce per the Constitution.
President-elect Donald Trump will be advised of this horror by RV manufacturers and sellers and buyers. Bet on federal legislation or regulatory action to slap down ACT. Americans cannot be subjected to this violation of our freedom to choose how and where we move around OUR NATION. FOR SHAME, CALIFORNIA!
Or register your RV in another state (much cheaper) and keep it in CA, like thousands of Californians have done for decades. Easy peasy.
Easy peasy but it is unlawful. Do you obey only those laws with which you agree?
Further, most states do not allow vehicle registration without proof of residence.
If you want one, buy it now. Our state isn’t likely to postpone the ban. And to all you out of staters who want to complain, it’s our state and our air.
So how will you feel when you can no longer purchase a tractor trailer for work next year? Product prices will rise due to shipping costs. Not all in your state agree. It’s not just your state.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Interesting observation. I would think that if California is doing “it,” then “it” is clearly a bad idea that no one in their right mind would copy. Anecdotedly, Tennessee has had several former-Californians become residents over the past 4 or 5 years here in East Tennessee. Have a great day, happy Thanksgiving, and safe travels!
Thank goodness Trump won the election and the Republicans won the House and the Senate. And how important is it that our country has a conservative USSC? They will put a stop to this nonsense. I can see this fight going to the USSC. I believe that California/ CARB will loose that case. The legal process has already started. The Arkansas Attorney General has sued California over emissions laws on over the road Diesel trucks affecting their state. I hope that the rest of the blue states AG’s jump on this case. It won’t take Trump’s administration long to rain in the EPA. This is one of the things he campaigned on.
Drill baby drill :O)
It would seem to me that the states that are imposing these rules should be made to bear the brunt of the cost. Excess costs because of these rules should all be charged back to those states. It’s only fair in that if the states believe in the rules that they should be willing to pay for them.
Blackmailing states into subsidizing what isn’t required those states is still blackmail. If the rogue states are convinced that their rules have merit they need to work in order to pass Federal laws approved by Congress.
“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.”
So how is this a ban on “all motorhomes”? F53 chassis with Ford engines can qualify.
I would like to apply for the job of driving new RV’s 7500 miles and delivering them to CA dealers