California Air Resources Board Environmental Performance Label for Medium-Duty Vehicles
- Greenhouse Gas Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles
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California Air Resources Board (CARB) Environmental Performance Labels give buyers of medium-duty vehicles better information as they consider purchasing a new vehicle. They may increase the likelihood that more efficient, lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting vehicles will be embraced by consumers.
CARB Environmental Performance Label Requirement for Medium-Duty Vehicles
CARB's Environmental Performance Labels are paper information sheets in the windows of new vehicles for sale at dealerships. California is requiring manufacturers to affix a CARB Environmental Performance Label to new complete 2021 and subsequent model year (MY) chassis-certified medium-duty vehicles, pick-up trucks and vans, with 8,501 to 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) manufactured on or after January 1, 2021. Two ratings are provided on CARB Environmental Performance Label, a GHG rating and a smog rating determined from the vehicle testing value and emission standard to which the vehicle is certified. The label ratings of A+ to D represent the entire range of possible ratings of a vehicle, with A+ the highest, cleanest rating.
Regulatory Documents
California Environmental Performance Label Specifications for 2021 and Subsequent Model Year Medium-Duty Vehicles, Except Medium-Duty Passenger Vehicles amended September 9, 2021.
California Environmental Performance Label Specifications for 2021 and Subsequent Model Year Medium-Duty Vehicles, Except Medium-Duty Passenger Vehicles adopted December 19, 2018.
Guidance Documents
Manufacturers Advisory Correspondence (MAC) 2019-02 - Environmental Performance Label Requirements For Medium-Duty Vehicle Manufacturers On And After January 1, 2021.
- Attachment 2: Template for Requesting GHG And Smog Ratings Approval.
Comparison between Light-Duty vs. Medium-Duty GHG Ratings
The Environmental Performance Label required for medium-duty vehicles allows consumers to compare vehicle choices based on the provided GHG and smog ratings on the label and potentially choose lower-emitting, more fuel efficient vehicles. Although the Environmental Performance Label is intended to be a vital tool in comparing vehicles and choosing the cleanest vehicle within the medium-duty vehicle category, this comparison of vehicles may lead consumers to attempt to compare information on the relative GHG emission performance of a particular medium-duty vehicle model with GVWR 8,501 to 10,000 pounds (class 2b) to a similar light-duty vehicle model with GVWR up to 8,500 pounds (class 2a). It is important to recognize that, because medium-duty and light-duty vehicles are subject to different greenhouse gas standards and test procedures, label ratings for medium-duty vehicles are defined differently than for light-duty vehicles. Hence, disclaimer language was placed on the CARB Environmental Performance Label for medium-duty vehicles to make it clear that a direct comparison should not be made. To provide clarification between light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles, CARB is providing tables below that show how light-duty ratings (10 to 1) correspond to medium-duty ratings (A+ to D).
Table 1: Comparison between Light-Duty 2025 GHG Rating vs. Medium-Duty 2021+ Adjusted GHG Rating
Light-Duty Vehicle Model Year 2025 GHG Rating | CO2 grams/mile Min | CO2 grams/mile Max | Comparable Medium-Duty Vehicle GHG Rating |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 0 | 0 | A+ |
10 | 1 | 74 | A |
9 | 75 | 136 | |
8 | 137 | 200 | |
7 | 201 | 265 | |
6 | 266 | 323 | |
5 | 324 | 338 | |
5 | 339 | 394 | A- |
5 | 395 | 413 | B+ |
4 | 414 | 450 | |
4 | 451 | 507 | B |
4 | 508 | 508 | B- |
3 | 509 | 563 | |
3 | 564 | 573 | C+ |
2 | 574 | 619 | |
2 | 620 | 658 | C |
1 | 659 | 676 | |
1 | 677 | 732 | C- |
1 | greater than 732 | D |
For example, a large pick-up truck with B+ GHG rating is comparable to a pick-up truck with 4 or 5 GHG rating.
Table 2: Comparison between Light-Duty 2024 GHG Rating vs. Medium-Duty 2021+ Adjusted GHG Rating
Light-Duty Vehicle Model Year 2024 GHG Rating | CO2 grams/mile Min | CO2 grams/mile Max | Comparable Medium-Duty Vehicle GHG Rating |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 0 | 0 | A+ |
10 | 1 | 97 | A |
9 | 98 | 152 | |
8 | 153 | 209 | |
7 | 210 | 265 | |
6 | 266 | 323 | |
5 | 324 | 338 | |
5 | 339 | 394 | A- |
5 | 395 | 413 | B+ |
4 | 414 | 450 | |
4 | 451 | 507 | B |
4 | 508 | 508 | B- |
3 | 509 | 563 | |
3 | 564 | 573 | C+ |
2 | 574 | 619 | |
2 | 620 | 658 | C |
1 | 659 | 676 | |
1 | 677 | 732 | C- |
1 | greater than 732 | D |
Related Program
Environmental Performance Labels for Light-Duty Vehicles
More Information
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Contact Mitzi Magtoto at (916) 323-8975