California Air Resources Board

In June 2024, the California Air Resources Board approved for adoption the Zero-Emission Forklift Regulation. The measure was identified in CARB’s Mobile Source Strategy, State Implementation Plan, and Sustainable Freight Action Plan as one of several near-term actions intended to help California meet its air quality and climate goals through zero-emission technology. The regulation will achieve emission reductions of both criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases by requiring the phase-out of forklifts using large spark-ignition (LSI) engines, such as those running on propane and gasoline. The regulation includes requirements for forklift Fleet Operators, Rental Agencies, Dealers, and Manufacturers, and is expected to result in a significant shift of the forklift segment in California to zero-emission technology. Zero-emission forklifts, such as those that run on battery-electric and fuel-cell powertrains, have been successfully used for decades. They have proven to be effective alternatives to internal combustion forklifts, particularly in the logistics industry.
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