A coalition of public agencies, led by the California Special Districts Association (CSDA), is urging the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to reconsider how its clean truck regulations apply to vehicles used in emergency response, warning that current proposals could put critical operations at risk.
In a newly released statement, the groups called on CARB to include exemptions for trucks that support emergency operations, including those used to maintain water systems, respond to wildfires, and deliver essential services during natural disasters.
The concern is not with the broader goal of reducing emissions, but with the operational realities of emergency response. According to the agencies, zero-emission vehicle technology is not yet capable of meeting the demands required in these situations, particularly when it comes to range, durability, and continuous operation.
Emergency response vehicles must often run for extended periods without interruption. In many disaster scenarios, including wildfires and severe storms, access to electricity can be limited or entirely unavailable, raising concerns about the feasibility of relying on battery-electric trucks in critical situations.
“Public agencies responsible for lives and property in disaster response…need vehicles immediately available that can operate around the clock, for days on end,” the coalition stated, emphasizing that current zero-emission alternatives cannot yet meet those requirements.
CARB’s broader regulatory framework is designed to accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks across multiple fleet categories, including public sector fleets. Under existing rules, fleets operating in California are expected to transition to zero-emission vehicles over time as part of the state’s long-term emissions reduction strategy.
However, CSDA and other agencies argue that a one-size-fits-all approach does not account for the unique demands of emergency operations. They are not calling for a rollback of clean transportation goals, but rather for targeted flexibility that would allow certain vehicles to remain diesel-powered until viable alternatives are available.
For fleets, particularly those in the public sector or supporting critical infrastructure, the debate underscores the importance of aligning technology readiness with regulatory timelines. As clean transportation policies expand, questions around exemptions, flexibility, and use-case-specific requirements are becoming increasingly central.
CARB has not yet indicated whether it will modify its approach, but the request from CSDA and other public agencies adds to a growing conversation about how clean truck regulations should be implemented across diverse fleet applications.
