When the ball dropped on New Year's and revelers around the country rang in 2023, at that exact moment some 230,000 or more trucks across the country became legally banned from operating in California at a time of historic supply chain backups.
That's due to the California Air Resources Board's Truck and Bus Regulation phasing out every pre-2010 engine year-equipped truck in the country. Previously, analysis from Overdrive sister company RigDig Business Intelligence found 75,951 unique VINs for 2007-2009 model year trucks with some level of activity in California over the last five years, including registrations and inspections.
But according to CARB's annual enforcement report, the remaining number of vehicles facing a January 1, 2023, compliance deadline (2007 through 2009 model year engines) is estimated to be about 36,900 California registered trucks and up to 192,400 trucks registered in other states.
CARB's ban, of course, impacts trucks no matter what state they're registered in. "Non-compliant trucks issued an on-road or field citation are subject to a penalty of $1,000, which could go up to $1,800 if the owner fails to correct. To clear the citation, the owner needs demonstrate compliance by upgrading the engine, selling or scrapping the vehicle, or not operating in California, along with payment of the penalty," CARB wrote Overdrive.
CARB said those penalties can rise to $42,450 per violation, depending on eight factors:
"Within six months, California is going to be crying out for trucks," said Jeremy Wallin, an owner-operator who hauls flatbed in a team with his wife, Tiffany. The Wallins, who used to frequent California, said it's "kind of sad" their 2017 Freightliner Coronado, powered by a 1998 Detroit Series 60, won't be able to run the Golden State anymore, but they're not worried.
"It’s a huge country," Wallin said. "If we can’t find enough work without having to go into California, something's wrong. There’s just plenty of work."
