MENU
SEARCHThe move effectively halts the state’s efforts to mandate zero-emission vehicle adoption for medium- and heavy-duty fleets under the Clean Air Act framework.
The regulation, which sought to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles from fleets operating in California by 2045, had faced significant opposition from industry stakeholders.
Photo: Canva
California formally withdrew its waiver request to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, signaling a strategic shift in response to anticipated challenges under the incoming Trump administration.
The move effectively halts the state’s efforts to mandate zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption for medium- and heavy-duty fleets under the Clean Air Act framework.
The regulation, which sought to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles from fleets operating in California by 2045, had faced significant opposition from industry stakeholders.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) acknowledged that the withdrawal allows for reassessing its approach, ensuring that future policies are prepared to withstand scrutiny from a federal government expected to take a more skeptical stance on environmental mandates.
The American Bus Association (ABA) strongly opposed the ACF rule, citing its disproportionate impact on motorcoach operators.
ABA President/CEO Fred Ferguson argued that the lack of commercially viable electric options for long-distance travel and rural routes made compliance impossible.
Ferguson also highlighted that the high cost of zero-emission motorcoaches and the absence of charging infrastructure could drive small operators out of business, destabilizing essential services like school transportation, emergency evacuations, and tourism.
The trucking and logistics sectors shared similar concerns.
The California Trucking Association (CTA) warned that meeting the regulation’s requirements would require an unsustainable pace of infrastructure development, estimating the need for 157,000 new charging stations by 2030.
Industry leaders argued that the ACF rule risked creating supply chain disruptions and economic hardships without robust support for infrastructure and vehicle technology.
The withdrawal also reflects broader tensions between federal and state climate policies.
CARB’s decision allows California to recalibrate its strategy, avoiding protracted legal battles while seeking alternative pathways to advance its decarbonization goals.
Observers note that this step signals CARB’s intention to pursue collaborative approaches with industry stakeholders while preparing for the shifting federal policy landscape.
As California reassesses its ZEV mandates, stakeholders from the motorcoach and trucking industries emphasize the importance of balanced policies that align with technological readiness and economic realities. The decision underscores the complexities of advancing ambitious climate goals amid evolving political and industry dynamics.
The expansion includes a new collision center with 32 additional parking spaces, along with a significant increase in service capacity.
Read More →
Essential strategies to strengthen your business before entering a private equity transaction.
Read More →
As the American Bus Association marks its 100th year, a new ABA Foundation report highlights the Marketplace’s role as a key revenue engine for the bus and group travel industry.
Read More →
As motorcoaches navigate increasingly congested urban corridors filled with pedestrians, cyclists, scooters, and distracted drivers, safety leaders across the industry are confronting a growing challenge: visibility.
Read More →
In this edition of Biz Briefs, we highlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility — from manufacturers and technology providers to transit agencies and motorcoach service operators.
Read More →
A portion of this fleet investment was recently recognized during UMA EXPO 2026, where Croswell Bus Lines was presented with a commemorative $1.8 million check highlighting the company’s continued investment in its fleet and partnership with ABC.
Read More →
This year's Motorcoach Operator of the Year and Innovative Operator of the Year exemplify what it means to be a top-notch organization.
Read More →
Premiums remain elevated. Underwriting scrutiny is intense. And claims costs continue to rise at historic levels. Behind those numbers lies a complex mix of legal, medical, and cultural forces reshaping the commercial landscape.
Read More →
The company said it has remained the most widely purchased model in the new coach market across the US and Canada, according to historical data from the Motorcoach Builders Survey conducted by the American Bus Association
Read More →
A phased approach to technology, in-house capabilities, and workforce investment is helping transportation leaders break the reactive cycle and build more resilient, revenue-focused operations.
Read More →
