Advanced Clean Fleets ZEV Purchase Exemption Checklist

Date

August 22, 2024

Contact

Advanced Clean Fleets

zevfleet@arb.ca.gov

Phone

(866) 634-3735

Application Basics

If your fleet can comply with the next applicable compliance date specified in the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation without an exemption, there is no reason to apply for an exemption. If you need assistance in understanding the flexibility in the regulation, please contact us at ZEVFleet@arb.ca.gov.

If you meet the applicable exemption criteria specified in title 13, CCR, sections 2015.3(e) or 2013.1(d), the ZEV Purchase Exemption allows you to purchase a new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle to replace an existing ICE vehicle in your fleet that you are seeking to replace, if the needed vehicle configuration is not available to purchase as a ZEV or near-zero emission vehicle (NZEV). The following are other key eligibility requirements that depend on which of the following compliance methods you are using:

Model Year Schedule (Federal and High Priority Fleets), Section 2015.1(c)(5):
- The application for the exemption is submitted no later than one year prior to the compliance date for the vehicle
- The application for the exemption is submitted no earlier than when the vehicle, that is otherwise required to be replaced, reaches 16 years old, or when the vehicle reaches 700,000 miles, whichever occurs first
ZEV Purchase Schedule (State and Local Government), Section 2013(n)(4):
- The application for the exemption is requested no earlier than when the model year of the ICE vehicle being replaced reaches 13 years old
ZEV Milestones Option (Government and High Priority Fleets), Section 2015.2(f)(5):
- The application for the exemption is submitted no later than one year before the next applicable ZEV Milestone compliance date, and
- The application for the exemption demonstrates the next applicable upcoming ZEV Fleet Milestone cannot be reached without requesting and obtaining exemptions for all other ICE vehicles in the California fleet

Application Submission Checklist

You may elect to use the following checklist to ensure you have included all of the information required in sections 2015.3(e) or 2013.1(d) in your application. You can compile this information in a number of formats, but an Excel table attached to the email is recommended if your application includes multiple vehicles. You must include the following about each existing vehicle in your application:

☐	Vehicle make and model [e.g., Ford F350, Isuzu NPRHD, Freightliner M2, etc.]
☐	Vehicle weight class [i.e., 2b, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8]
☐	Configuration [e.g., bucket truck, box truck, concrete pump truck, etc.]
☐	Does the vehicle have a crew cab? [Yes, No]
☐	Does the vehicle have a cab-over? [Yes, No]
☐	Does the vehicle have all-wheel drive? [Yes, No]
☐	Make and model of the body, if applicable [e.g., Altec A-50, Knapheide CB117D54H46, Stahl MDST158, etc.]
☐	List any frame attachments other than the body itself necessary to support or perform the primary intended function of the vehicle, if applicable [e.g., stabilizing outriggers, rail track wheels, etc.]
☐	Clear and legible photographs of the entire left and right sides of the vehicle with doors closed showing the vehicle body configuration
☐	Documentation from two or more manufacturers that offer ZEV or NZEV chassis or complete vehicles, that states the manufacturer does not offer for sale a ZEV or NZEV chassis or complete vehicle of the vehicle to be replaced (i.e. make, model, weight class, configuration, crew cab, cabover, or all-wheel drive and whether there are any necessary frame attachments.)

One suggestion is to begin with manufacturers that sell ZEVs or NZEVs of the same or higher weight class as the vehicle being replaced. Please see the List of Certified ZEVs where you can identify ZEV manufacturers and vehicle models in the weight class of the vehicles to be replaced. Manufacturer documentation that specifies that they do not have a ZEV that can meet certain payload, towing capacity, and range requirements is not permitted under the scope of the ZEV Purchase Exemption and should not be included. Range or energy usage limitations are addressed by the Daily Usage Exemption

Submit Your Application

When you have verified that you need an exemption to remain in compliance and your application is complete, you can submit your application to TRUCRS@arb.ca.gov with the subject line “ZEV Purchase Exemption”. You must also show that your California fleet complies with all applicable requirements in the ACF regulation, including the reporting requirements. One means of demonstrating compliance is to indicate the TRUCRS ID for your fleet. CARB will review the application and respond via email whether the application is approved within 45 calendar days.

If CARB identifies a manufacturer, dealer, or upfitter that offers a ZEV or NZEV in the needed configuration in the same or next higher weight class, within the parameters described in the regulation, CARB will deny the exemption request and will provide the contact information of that manufacturer or dealer to the fleet owner.

This document is provided to assist regulated entities in complying with the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. In the event any discrepancy exists between this document and the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation, the regulatory text of the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation applies.