The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation provides flexibility for State and local government (SLG) fleets to comply with the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Purchase Schedule or with the ZEV Milestones Option. Please see a summary of the compliance requirements and flexibility options (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advanced-clean-fleets/advanced-clean-fleets-fact-sheets). However, when a fleet owner cannot comply due to circumstances that are beyond their control, the regulation includes a variety of provisions that are summarized here.

What is the ZEV Purchase Exemption?

If a fleet owner cannot comply because a ZEV, or near-zero emission vehicle (NZEV), is demonstrably unavailable in the needed configuration, the fleet owner can request and may be granted] an exemption to purchase a new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. The fleet owner can apply for a fleet specific exemption by submitting their request with supporting information by email for CARB’s review and determination.  

In addition, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) maintains a list identifying specific common vehicle body configurations by weight class that can be purchased as ICE vehicles without seeking an exemption in advance because they are not available to purchase as a ZEV or NZEV.  This list is limited in scope and may be updated as availability changes. The list does not include vehicles that are already available as ZEVs like pickups, buses, box trucks, vans, or tractors.

Information about ICE vehicles purchased under this exemption must be reported in the Truck Regulations Upload and Compliance Reporting System (TRUCRS) within 30 days of when the vehicle is received. More information can be found on the ZEV Purchase Exemption page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-zero-emission-vehicle-purchase-exemption).

What is the Daily Usage Exemption?

If a fleet owner cannot comply because the daily usage needs of a given configuration cannot be met by available ZEVs, the fleet owner can request an exemption to purchase a new ICE vehicle. To qualify for this exemption, at least 10% of the fleet must be ZEVs or NZEVs. The fleet owner will need to submit mileage and/or usage records and  all other data necessary to demonstrate that no ZEV available in that configuration can meet the documented daily duty cycle. An eligible fleet owner can submit their request with supporting information by email for CARB’s evaluation.  More information can be found on the Daily Usage Exemption web page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-daily-usage-exemption).

What is the ZEV Infrastructure Delay Extension?

If the fleet owner begins a project to install ZEV fueling infrastructure (charging or hydrogen fueling stations) at their facility, or dedicated parking location, at least one year ahead of the next applicable compliance date, the fleet owner can request and may be granted an extension to continue operating existing vehicles until the project is completed. The extension for a construction delay could be granted for up to two years and for a site electrification delay for up to five years depending on the specific circumstances and documentation showing delays outside the fleet owner’s control. An eligible fleet owner can submit their request with supporting information by email. More information can be found on the ZEV Infrastructure Delay Extension web page. (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-zero-emission-vehicle-infrastructure-delay)

What is the Vehicle Delivery Delay Extension?

This extension applies to a fleet owner that is using the ZEV Milestones Option and has ordered a ZEV for immediate delivery at least one year ahead of the next compliance date, but it doesn’t arrive in time to meet their compliance requirements. The fleet owner can request this extension at the beginning of the applicable compliance year by submitting proof of purchase by email for CARB’s verification. The extension allows an existing vehicle to continue operating until the ZEV is received without affecting compliance. This extension does not apply to fleets that comply with the ZEV Purchase Schedule because compliance is based on when the purchases are made instead of when the vehicle is placed in service. More information can be found on the Vehicle Delivery Delay Extension web page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-vehicle-delivery-delay-extension).

What is the Backup Vehicle Exemption?

A vehicle that is designated as a backup vehicle can be excluded from the ZEV compliance requirements if it operates fewer than 1,000 total miles per year. The fleet owner must designate a backup vehicle in TRUCRS at the beginning of the compliance year and must renew the backup vehicle status annually. The fleet owner can also designate a used ICE truck purchase immediately as a backup vehicle without affecting compliance. Under the ZEV Milestones Option a designated backup vehicle is excluded from the California fleet when determining compliance.  Miles traveled by a designated backup vehicle to support a declared emergency event do not count toward the mileage threshold. Owners remain responsible for accurate annual reporting. More information can be found on the Backup Vehicle Exemption web page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-backup-vehicle-exemption).

What is the Mutual Aid Assistance Exemption?

Fleet owners that have mutual aid agreements to send vehicles to help others during a declared emergency event can request an exemption to continue purchasing new ICE vehicles by excluding up to 25% of the fleet from the ZEV requirements once at least 25% of the fleet are already ZEVs. Fleet owners can initially apply for the exemption after the first 25% of the fleet are ZEVs. This exemption does not apply to pickup trucks, buses, box trucks, vans, tractors, vehicles available as ZEVs with fast mobile fueling of fast mobile charging, nor NZEVs. An eligible fleet owner can apply by submitting information by email for CARB’s review. This exemption applies to the ZEV Purchase Schedule and ZEV Milestones Option.

What is the Declared Emergency Response Exemption?

Vehicle operation that occurs under contract to support a declared emergency event can be excluded from the California fleet. Reporting in TRUCRS during the emergency response period is not required if the vehicle operator has proof of the contract with the emergency management agency. This exemption applies to the ZEV Milestones Option. Out of state vehicles are also temporarily exempt if dispatched by a local, state, federal, or other authorized emergency management agency, or their contractors, for the purpose of supporting a declared emergency event. Miles traveled by a designated backup vehicle to support a declared emergency event do not count toward the mileage threshold. More information can be found on the Declared Emergency Response Exemption web page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-declared-emergency-event-exemption).

What is the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption?

This exemption allows for an immediate replacement of an existing vehicle that has been in a one-time catastrophic event that makes both the engine and vehicle non-repairable. The fleet owner can request an exemption to immediately replace the non-repairable vehicle with a used ICE vehicle of the same configuration without affecting the compliance schedule. The used replacement vehicle must have the same or newer model year engine as the non-repairable vehicle. An eligible fleet owner can submit their request with supporting information by email More information can be found on the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption web page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-non-repairable-vehicle-exemption).

What is the Intermittent Snow Removal Vehicle Exemption?

Until January 1, 2030, a fleet owner can report to exclude an intermittent snow removal vehicle when determining compliance. An eligible vehicle is one that is equipped with a snowplow or snow blower mounting attachment and a control system for the plow or blower. Under the ZEV Purchase Schedule, the purchase of an intermittent snow removal vehicle before 2030 does not count as a vehicle purchase. Under the ZEV Milestones Option, an eligible intermittent snow removal vehicle is not counted as part of the California fleet until January 1, 2030. The fleet owner must submit information by email to have a vehicle designated as a snow removal vehicle. However, dedicated snow removal vehicles are excluded from the regulation and do not need to be reported. More information can be found on the  Snow Removal Vehicle Exemptions FAQ page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-snow-removal-vehicle-exemptions).

What is the Waste and Wastewater Fleet Option?

When complying with the ZEV Milestones Option, qualified waste haulers and wastewater fleet owners can defer compliance for certain compressed natural gas vehicles until 2030, if the vehicles are exclusively fueled with biomethane. The fleet owner must report eligible body types for eligible natural gas vehicles in TRUCRS and keep records of the fuel purchase agreements. More information can be found on the Waste and Wastewater Fleet Option FAQ (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-waste-and-wastewater-fleet-option)page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-clean-fleets-regulation-waste-and-wastewater-fleet-option).

Is there an exemption for transit agencies?

The transit buses already subject to the Innovative Clean Transit regulation are exempt from the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. Until January 1, 2030, transit agencies that operate support trucks and other vehicles are exempt from all the State and Local Government Fleet Requirements. Starting January 1, 2030, transit agencies must report information about their support trucks and other vehicles and begin complying with the ZEV Purchase Schedule. Cities or other jurisdictions that have a transit agency division can exclude their other transit agency division support vehicles until January 1, 2030.

Please note: This webpage and the content herein are provided solely for informational purposes. It does not establish substantive requirements, create enforceable rights, or limit CARB’s discretion in administering or enforcing the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. All exemption and extension determinations are made by CARB based on the regulatory text and the specific facts presented. CARB may update or revise this information at any time to reflect changes in law or policy. In the event of any conflict, the regulatory text controls. Nothing in this webpage alters, expands, interprets, or supplants the regulation, nor should it be relied upon as a substitute for the regulation or for any official determination issued by CARB.