California approved update to refrigerated truck standards

Posted March 1, 2022

During their February 24, 2022, board meeting California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved amendments to the state’s Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs) rule. The amendments will require a variety of actions for TRU operating in the state, as well as facilities where TRU’s operate. All truck TRUs operating in California are required to be zero emission by December 31, 2029, with deadlines as early as this December to get the state there.

Beginning December 31, 2022:

• New truck, trailer, and domestic shipping container TRUs are required to use a refrigerant with a global warming potential less than or equal to 2,200, or no refrigerant at all.
• Model-year 2023 and newer TRUs, used on trailers, domestic shipping containers, railcars, and generator set engines, are required to meet a lower particulate matter emission standard that meets the U.S. EPA Tier 4 final off road standard for 25 50 horsepower engines.

Beginning December 31, 2023:

• ‘Applicable facilities’ (which include refrigerated warehouses and distribution centers, grocery stores, seaport facilities, and intermodal railyards) are required to register with CARB, pay fees every three years, and report all TRUs that operate at their facility or attest that only compliant TRUs operate at their facility.
• All TRUs (including those based out-of-state) that operate in California must report usage to CARB, pay operating fees, and affix CARB compliance labels to their TRU every three years.
• TRU owners are required to turnover at least 15 percent of their truck TRU fleet to zero-emission technology each year.

This article was written by Jen Loomis of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.