California Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives
State Incentives
Idle Reduction Incentives
A transportation bond approved in November 2006 provides funding on a competitive basis for projects that achieve emissions reductions from truck engine idling through electrification infrastructure and the replacement, repower, and retrofit of heavy-duty diesel trucks. (Reference Assembly Bill 201, 2007, and Proposition 1B, 2006)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle, Refueling Infrastructure and Idle Reduction Grants - San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Heavy-Duty Engine Incentive Program provides funding for the incremental cost associated with purchasing reduced emission technology for heavy-duty vehicles. Eligible funding categories include heavy-duty on-road vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings over 14,000 pounds, off-road self-propelled vehicles, locomotives, marine vessels, electric forklifts, electric airport ground support equipment, and stationary agricultural irrigation pump engines. Eligible fuel types include compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and electricity. The Heavy-Duty Engine Program also has an Alternative Fuel Infrastructure component that provides grants for the development of infrastructure to dispense alternative fuel for heavy-duty vehicles. Additionally, the Heavy-Duty Engine Idle Reduction Incentive Program provides incentive funds for technologies that result in a significant reduction of on- and off-road heavy-duty vehicle idling in the San Joaquin Valley. Applications must be completed and approved before the engine is purchased, and funds are provided on a first come, first served basis.
State Laws and Regulations
Truck Idle Reduction Requirement
The California Air Resources Board has adopted an engine and in-use truck requirement and emission performance requirement for technologies used as alternatives to the truck's main engine idling. Model Year 2008 and newer heavy-duty diesel engines are required to be equipped with a non-programmable engine shutdown system that automatically shuts down the engine after five minutes of idling or optionally meets a 30 gram per hour nitrogen oxide idling emission standard. Operators of sleeper berth equipped trucks are required to manually shut down their engine when idling more than five minutes at any location within California beginning in 2008. The penalty for violating this measure is $300 per violation starting January 1, 2008. Furthermore, the Department of Motor Vehicles will not register, renew, or transfer registration for any vehicle operator who has received a violation until the violation is cleared. (Reference California Code of Regulations Title 13, Division 3, Chapter 10, Article 1, Section 2485 and Assembly Bill 233, 2007)
School Bus Idle Reduction Requirement
The California Air Resources Board has established an airborne toxic control measure (ATCM) that limits school bus idling and idling at or near schools to only when necessary for safety or operational concerns. This ATCM is intended to reduce diesel exhaust particulate matter and other toxic air contaminants from heavy-duty vehicle exhaust. (Reference California Code of Regulations Title 13, Division 3, Chapter 10, Section 2480)
Heavy-Duty Idle Reduction Requirement – Sacramento
The City of Sacramento has passed an ordinance prohibiting the idling of all heavy-duty on-road vehicles and all heavy-duty off-road equipment for more than five minutes at a given location. Vehicles, off-road equipment, and transport refrigeration units are also prohibited from extended idling within 100 feet of a residence or school. (Reference Sacramento City Code Chapter 8.116)
