If you look on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) site for information on the Truck and Bus Regulation, you’ll find 25 links – and that’s only counting what’s in the sidebar. The extensive amount of available information is a testament to the complexity of the evolving regulation.
In its most basic terms, the regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to reduce emissions, which means upgrades for some vehicles and replacement for others. It’s a big change for the businesses involved and it’s hitting the industry hard. There’s talk about how compliance is burdensome, expensive and challenging.
Companies want and need to comply, but the issue is how to do it in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. Here are three ways to getting started:
1. CARB up – learn about the regulation
Knowledge is power and the complexity of the CARB regulation speaks to the need to stay informed and up to date. California provides a wealth of information online, so click on these links to learn more about the CARB Truck and Bus Regulation and “How to Verify if Hired Fleets Comply.”
2. Evaluate your fleet
There is a cost to doing nothing – industry concerns about the availability of compliant vehicles are real and valid. While parts of the regulation don’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2015, waiting to secure compliant vehicles poses a risk that can be avoided by taking action today. Start by evaluating your fleet and determining what – if any – modifications are needed. If you determine that more compliant vehicles are needed, consider the most efficient, cost-effective way to secure them. For example, a rent-to-lease option could eliminate the expense of purchasing new vehicles while keeping your fleet compliant.
3. Act now to secure the necessary vehicles
There’s an old saying: “He who hesitates is lost.” Fleet managers who hesitate now could lose the opportunity to obtain compliant vehicles – or lose the opportunity to obtain those vehicles in the most cost-efficient manner. As you budget for 2014, keep your projected fleet needs in mind. How many vehicles will you need domiciled in California? How many vehicles will be traveling into California, and will therefore be required to comply? Plan ahead, plan accordingly and act now. Secure the vehicles today, while they are still available.
For more information on what CARB can mean to you, click here.
Written by Nanci Tellam, Group Director of Environmental Services & Sustainability, Ryder
