California's Plan to Decarbonize Trucks with Dr. Steve Cliff

California Air Resources Board: Zero-Emission Trucking Goals

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the agency responsible for reducing California’s climate-changing emissions and accelerating the transition away from combustion powered vehicles. This includes promoting the manufacturing and sale of zero-emission trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles. CARB’s goals for zero-emission trucks in California include (1) 100% of new zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035, (2) a full transition to zero-emission vehicle drayage trucks by 2035, and (3) a full transition to zero-emission vehicle buses and heavy-duty long-haul trucks by 2045, where feasible. 

What is CARB Doing to Meet These Goals?

CARB is working to meet these goals through financial incentives, infrastructure development, regulations, collaboration with partners in government and industry, and information dissemination about zero-emissions trucking. Financial incentives include point-of-sale discounts on zero-emission trucks and buses, credits for lower-carbon-intensity fuels, incentives for building charging stations, loan assistance for buying zero-emission trucks, and more. 

Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation

In California, the transportation sector is responsible for about 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and a major source of air pollution. Trucks are a potent mobile source of emissions, contributing to about 70% of smog pollution and 80% of carcinogenic diesel pollution. CARB regulations aim to accelerate the zero-emissions truck market as an essential part of achieving California’s goals of reducing emissions to fight climate change and improve clean air standards. This includes the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation, a manufacturers zero-emissions vehicle sales requirement and one time reporting requirement for large entities and fleets. The goal of the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation is to accelerate the transition of medium and heavy duty zero-emission vehicles. 

Who is Steve Cliff?

Dr. Steve Cliff is the Executive Officer of the California Air and Resource Board (CARB). Cliff began his appointment in the Summer of 2022 and works with the board to enact programs to reduce air and climate pollution within the state. In his role, Cliff oversees over 1,800 employees and a budget of $2.7 billion. Before serving as Executive Officer Cliff worked as the 16th Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was appointed by President Biden in January 2021. 

Dr. Steve Cliff received his bachelor's and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, San Diego. He also has a postdoc on atmospheric sciences from the University of California, Davis. For over two decades Cliff has worked closely with UC Davis, he worked as a research professor in the Department of Applied Sciences, has supported air quality and climate research programs, and is affiliated with the school’s Air Quality Research.

For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/californias-plan-to-decarbonize-trucks-with-dr-steve-cliff/