Who must follow the Off Road Equipment Regulation? Any vehicle with a diesel-fueled or alternative diesel-fueled off-road compression-ignition engine with a maximum power (max hp) of at least 25 horsepower (hp) operated in California. This rule covers all vehicles that cannot be driven safely on-road or registered in California—This rule is not designed for any vehicles that can function on-road, even if they are modified so that the can be drive on-road. Examples of vehicles included in this rule are off-road vehicles used in industrial operations, mining, and construction, such as airport ground support equipment (GSE), forklifts, backhoes, skid steers, excavators, motor graders, dozers, crawler tractors, and wheel loaders.

Large, medium and small fleets must comply—Requirements differ for each size of fleet. Additionally, reporting must be resubmitted when fleet size changes. Idling limits, transfer of fleet ownership, and provisions for special vehicles, such as snow removal vehicles, are all spelled out in the final regulation. It also includes the optional compliance schedule for fleets of 500 HP or less, which begins January 2019. Performance requirements are detailed in this regulation, along with specific information regarding BACT Credit earned, PM VDECS, and NOx VDECS.

Your completed annual report must include a complete hardcopy of Responsible Official Affirmation of Reporting (ROAR) form or an electronic ROAR (e-ROAR) that certifies the info you are submitting is accurate and in compliance. This information is submitted through the Diesel Off-road Online Reporting System (DOORS).

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) continues to shift gears on fleet requirements, and the Advanced Emission exhaust emission experts are dedicated to keeping you informed. In CARB’s newest addition, renewable diesel (RD) requirements take center stage in the Off-Road Equipment Regulation. How has the In-Use Off-Road Diesel Fueled Fleets Regulation changed? What are the details? When do you need to comply? We’ve got the answers, and we make sense of it all for you.

According to CARB, nitrous oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emitted by off-road diesel vehicles, rated at 25 horsepower (HP) or more, must be curbed at the statewide level to reduce health risks. To this end, CARB approved amendments to the In-Use Off-Road Regulation on November 17, 2022.

The amendments add additional obligations, but they do not change the existing requirements.

CARB divides engine emission standards into Tiers. Tier 0 indicates emissions from uncontrolled engines, engines in Tiers 1 and 2 make up 60% of NOx and PM emissions (as of 2022), and as you go across the chart, the new Tier 4 engines of 100-175 HP will eventually display negligent emissions. To get to this optimum goal, CARB introduced new additional amendments.

CARB divides engine emission standards into Tiers. Tier 0 indicates emissions from uncontrolled engines, engines in Tiers 1 and 2 make up 60% of NOx and PM emissions (as of 2022), and as you go across the chart, the new Tier 4 engines of 100-175 HP will eventually display negligent emissions. To get to this optimum goal, CARB introduced new additional amendments.

Chart source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/overview-amendments-use-road-diesel-fueled-fleets-regulation

Beginning January 1, 2024:

The oldest and highest PM-emitting off-road engines are to be phased out. Every fleet must phase out Tier 0 engines to a permanent low use (200 hours or less per year) or remove the engine from operation in California
The new minimum Tier requirement goes into effect, mandating that only engines in Tier 4 Final category may be added to medium and large fleets, and Tier 4 Interim may be added to small fleets (with engines of 500 HP or less and must be cleaner by January 1, 2025)

Fleets must clean a minimum of 10% of the fleet HP until getting to the final Fleet Average Target (FAT). (Excess cleanup points will continue to carry over to small fleets of 25-100 HP until January of 2028).

The mandate to use R99 or R100 renewable diesel (RD) fuel for all fleets goes into effect. Fleets must submit annual fueling receipts and contracts to prove all rental and fleet-owned off-road vehicles are solely using these RD fuels, or they maintain records to indicate attempts at obtaining these fuels. Fleets that are solely comprised of off-road vehicles that fall in the Tier-4 Final category are exempt.

Fleets must submit a valid Certificate of Reported Compliance to contractors to be hired for work.

View the language of CARBs new off-road equipment regulation and check CARB’s recommended funding Incentive programs. 

More information is coming soon! Check back for future announcements and updates as they come available. Advanced Emission continues to monitor your concerns and we’re open to your questions.

Have specific questions as they pertain to your vehicles and your fleet? Reach out to us and give our emissions team a call for a free consultation at (559) 240-6076.