This change is due to chassis manufacturers' inability to meet ZEV sales requirements under the Advanced Clean Truck Regs.

New regulations set to take effect in 2025 will effectively “ban” motorhome sales in California and other states following the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) regulations. CARB passed regulations in 2020 requiring truck manufacturers to reduce the number of conventional combustion engines they sell in favor of near-zero-emission products powered by clean, low-carbon renewable fuels.

Chassis manufacturers have informed RV manufacturers they will not be able to supply ICE (internal combustion engine) chassis for sale in California, since they could not offset their ZEV deficits by sales of a ZEV motorhome chassis. These manufacturers do not currently have ZEV chassis for motorhomes.

Starting with the 2025 model year, ACT requires manufacturers to sell ZEVs (Zero Emission Vehicles) as an increasing percentage of total medium- and heavy-duty truck sales in California. In 2025, they are expected to sell ZEVs at 5 to 9% of all truck sales. This applies to vehicles at 8,500 lbs. GVWR (i.e., Class 2b-8 vehicles).

Manufacturers already selling ZEVs were able to obtain credits for selling ZEVs in the 2021 though the 2023 model years. Some manufacturers, such as Ford, were able to take advantage of these credits since they already sell ZEVs in other truck categories. These credits allow them to sell less ZEVs in the heavy-duty truck category.

California is requiring the 2024 model year comply with the regulations. Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington require the percentage of ZEVs starting with the 2025 model year. In Vermont, it begins with the 2026 model year, while Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico and Rhode Island must comply with the 2027 model year. 2024 models already produced can be sold in California.

Pennsylvania follows the ACT regulations for LEV pollutants and LEV Greenhouse Gas in the light-duty truck category. The Commonwealth was one of 15 states to sign onto CARB’s Advanced Clean Truck Regulation in 2020; however, it requires the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate new regulations through a public process. The Advanced Clean Truck Regulation would require that by 2045, every truck sold in Pennsylvania be zero-emission.

The RV Industry Association (RVIA) reported that it has worked with the CARB staff since 2020 on the ACT regulations. RVIA staff submitted written and oral testimony at public hearings explaining the negative impact these regulations will have on the RV industry. CARB has not made any further amendments to the regulations, so they are still scheduled to go into effect next year.

According to RVIA, amendments to the ACT regulation would address the issues that have arisen by the rule’s implementation, including OEM restriction of motorhome chassis sales. They also sought to establish a new Zero-Emission Powertrain Certification test procedure and ensure original intent of the rule along with CARB’s commitments contained in the Clean Truck Partnership agreement.

RVIA has provided more information on the ACT regulations here.