SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resource Board (CARB) today announced a $7 million dollar grant for a Class 8 truck that will achieve a 90 percent reduction in NOx, and a 15 to 20 percent fuel efficiency improvement.

The project is part of CARB’s Low Carbon Transportation and Fuels Investments and Air Quality Improvement Program. CALSTART will serve as the project grantee and administrator. The project will build and install Achates Power Opposed-Piston Engines into Class 8 demonstration trucks that will operate in fleet service in California in 2020.

California’s ultra-low NOx emissions standard is 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp/hr). This program will demonstrate the first diesel engine to comply with the state standard. In addition, the engine will emit 10 percent less CO₂ than the 2027 federal greenhouse gas requirement.

The project team, led by CALSTART, includes a heavy-duty truck manufacturer as well as leading suppliers in the powertrain and emissions industry. California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District also are investing in the project.

Funding for the grant comes from California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

The Cap-and-Trade Program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities.

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