Yesterday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a third year of funding to promote the purchase of next-generation clean cars, trucks and off-road equipment. The program will offer up to $40 million to be distributed on a first-come first-served basis. Trucking companies in the state can receive vouchers to help support the addition of fuel-efficient hybrid and zero-emission trucks into Continue Reading

Response to the California Air Resources Board’s Clean Vehicle Project has been such that the incentive program is nearly out of money. The rebates ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 for passenger cars, zero-emissions motorcycles and select commercial electric vehicles are doled out on a first-come, first-served basis, but the number of requests could deplete the agency’s coffers by July. Funding could be renewed at CARB’s July board hearing, but changes to the program are expected. Among CARB’s proposals are tripling the money it makes available for the program, but cutting the Continue Reading

Both the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have reported double-digit increases in container traffic for February compared to the same month a year ago. For the Port of Long Beach, that represented the 15th consecutive month of growth. Imports were up 12.4 percent, but exports were down by 1 percent. Empty container moves were up 25.3 percent; most are bound overseas for refilling. For the Port of Los Angeles, it reports a 10-plus Continue Reading

Effects of the major earthquake that struck Japan were being felt by shipping and port operations in California and Hawaii. In response to the tsunami warnings for Southern California, the Port of Los Angeles as a precautionary measure suspended the transfer of hazardous materials but normal operations were not affected. The Port of Long Beach experienced minor operational interruptions, while it closely monitored the situation with the help of Continue Reading

The California Air Resources Board is fanning out across the state, sponsoring one-day events to help truck owners familiarize themselves with the agency’s regulations, equipment requirements and funding opportunities. Beginning this weekend, the first of the three events will kick off in Riverside, with stops in San Mateo and Fresno also planned. At each location, mock truck inspections will be held, and classroom training will cover the following regulations: idling, heavy-duty vehicle inspection program, engine labeling, truck and bus regulation, drayage truck regulation, tractor and Continue Reading

Voters and a change of party in the California state capitol after Tuesday’s election look to ensure the enforcement of regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty tractors and trailers. With more than 90 percent of precincts reporting, a solid 61 percent of voters rejected Proposition 23, a measure that would have suspended the state’s green regulations until the unemployment rate dipped below 5.5 percent for a year. The election of Democrat Jerry Brown also reduces the likelihood that the state will backtrack on emissions reduction regulations. However, the California Continue Reading

The financial incentive program the California Air Resources Board (CARB) put in place in 2007 is showing results, as the agency announced it has help put more than 650 hybrid trucks and buses on the state’s roads. Through the program, which is administered through CalStart, a nonprofit organization that works with business, fleets and government to develop and implement clean, efficient transportation solutions, provides vouchers to help fleets offset the higher costs associated with purchasing the advanced technology vehicles. That technology, though, is credited with reducing emissions and Continue Reading

Four of California’s heavy-traffic trade corridors will benefit from $200 million in voter-approved Proposition 1B funds to help reduce emissions from heavy-duty trucks, locomotives and railyards, commercial harbor craft and other sources. The Los Angeles/Inland Empire, Central Valley, Bay Area and San Diego/Border regions were Continue Reading

Perhaps a byproduct of a rebounding economy, trucks at California ports are experiencing longer wait times with the increase in cargo traffic combined with staffing cutbacks necessitated by the economic downturn. Container traffic has risen nearly by double digits from one year ago at both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and that has left truckers waiting as much as Continue Reading

Joining its bordering American neighbors, Quebec recently became the first Canadian province to adopt California’s emissions standards for cars and light-duty trucks. Those classes of vehicles built between 2010 and 2016 will be subject to increasingly strict restrictions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Of the 14 states that have already chosen to Continue Reading