California Air Resources Board

What is the ZEV Purchase Exemption?

The ZEV Purchase Exemption addresses situations where a fleet owner cannot comply with the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation due to circumstances beyond their control if a required ZEV is not available to purchase in the same configuration as a vehicle needing to be replaced prior to the next compliance date. Until 2035, a near-zero emission vehicle (NZEV) with minimum all electric range is treated the same as a ZEV. This exemption allows a fleet owner to remain in compliance by purchasing a new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle of the same configuration instead of a ZEV or NZEV. If the California fleet is able to remain in compliance by using the flexibility in the regulation, there is no need to apply for an extension. Similarly, exemption requests will not be evaluated for fleets that are already out of compliance.

When can I apply for the ZEV Purchase Exemption?

High Priority Fleets following the Model Year Schedule can request the ZEV Purchase Exemption no later than one year before the applicable compliance date and no earlier than when the model year of the vehicle being replaced reaches 16 years old, or the odometer exceeds 700,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

A State or Local Government Fleet following the ZEV Purchase Schedule can request the ZEV Purchase Exemption for a given compliance year at any time when replacing a vehicle in the California fleet for a vehicle model year that is at least 13 years old. The total number of vehicle exemptions approved will not exceed the number of ZEV purchases needed to meet the applicable ZEV purchase requirement.

A fleet owner following the ZEV Milestones Option can request the ZEV Purchase Exemption when replacing a vehicle in the California fleet no later than one year before the next applicable upcoming compliance date. The exemption will be granted only if no other ICE vehicle in the fleet can be replaced with a ZEV of the same configuration. The total number of exemptions approved will not exceed the number of ZEVs needed to meet the next applicable ZEV Milestone requirement.

How do I apply for the ZEV Purchase Exemption?

A fleet owner may request an exemption by emailing the following to TRUCRS@arb.ca.gov:

• Identify the TRUCRS ID for the reported California fleet
• The following information about the vehicle being replaced:
  • VIN, vehicle make, model, weight class,
  • Any necessary frame attachments needed to perform the vehicle's primary intended function (such as stabilizing outriggers or rail wheels)
  • Whether the vehicle has a crew cab, is a cabover, or has all-wheel drive;
  • The make and model of the body added to the chassis, if applicable
  • A description of the vehicle body configuration (for example, bucket truck, box truck, concrete pump truck, pickup, dump truck, digger derrick, drill rig, stake bed truck, etc.)
  • Clear and legible photos of both entire left and right sides of the vehicle with the doors closed showing its configuration and if using the model year schedule provide a picture of the odometer reading
• Written statements from at least two manufacturers that offer the vehicle/chassis as a ZEV or NZEV in the needed general configuration showing they do not offer the vehicle for purchase as a ZEV or NZEV to meet the same primary intended function of the vehicle being replaced. A list of ZEVs certified for sale in the state of California is available for reference. If no manufacturer makes ZEVs or NZEVs with the same general configuration, the statements can come from any other medium- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer.

How is the ZEV Purchase Exemption request evaluated?

California Air Resources Board (CARB) will evaluate the ZEV Purchase Exemption package for completeness and whether the configuration is available for purchase as a ZEV or NZEV from any manufacturer, authorized dealer or upfitter. The following are the parameters that will be used to identify whether an equivalent ZEV or NZEV is available:

• Does any manufacturer (authorized dealer or body upfitter) offer the vehicle as a ZEV or NZEV with an equivalent body (regardless of make and model) and frame attachments to perform the same intended function in the same or next higher weight class as the vehicle being replaced (up to Class 8),
• Is the vehicle available with a crew cab or cabover like the vehicle being replaced,
• Is the vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive if the vehicle being replaced has all-wheel drive, Does the chassis or complete vehicle meet the applicable ZEP Certification requirements, and
• Is the vehicle available for purchase with a model year within 18 months of the application.

The evaluation will include whether the identified body of the vehicle being replaced or a body from another manufacturer that can perform the same primary intended function can be installed on the offered ZEV or NZEV chassis. CARB may solicit public feedback regarding the information submitted by the fleet owner in the application package from vehicle manufacturers and authorized dealers on the CARB Advanced Clean Fleets webpage to assist in making the determination. Experimental, test, demonstration, or pre-commercial vehicles are not considered available to purchase. Cost, manufacturer preference, or operational needs are not qualifying criteria for approving the ZEV Purchase Exemption. CARB will provide a response by email within 45 days of receiving a complete package.

How will I know if I am approved for the ZEV Purchase Exemption?

If the extension is approved the fleet owner will be notified by email. The extension approval notice will include a summary of the information submitted in the application including the compliance option the fleet is using, the list of VINs and configuration for the vehicles to be replaced, how many vehicle exemptions are approved and the timeframe to complete the ICE vehicle purchases along with the conditions for the approved exemption to remain valid. High Priority Fleets will have 180 calendar days to place their new ICE order, and state and local government fleets will have one year to place their new ICE order. The extension will continue until the ICE vehicle purchased under the exemption is received. If the needed vehicle configuration is available for purchase, CARB will supply the name of the manufacturer to the fleet owner and the extension request will not be approved.

What must I do when I receive the ICE vehicle purchased under an approved ZEV Purchase Exemption?

When the fleet owner receives a new ICE vehicle purchased pursuant to an approved ZEV Purchase Exemption must submit an email to TRUCRS@arb.ca.gov within 30-calendar days of receiving the vehicle. The email must identify the TRUCRS ID, the VIN of the vehicle being replaced and the following information about the new ICE vehicle:

• A copy of the new ICE vehicle purchase agreement
• Pictures of the VIN/GVWR label (typically located on the driver side door or door jamb);
• Pictures of the driver’s side of the vehicle with the license plate visible;
• Picture of the entire left side of the vehicle and right side of the vehicle with doors closed showing the vehicle’s body configuration

Fleet owners must keep copies of documents submitted for the ZEV Purchase Exemption for a period of at least 5 years and make them available to CARB upon request.

Is there a streamlined ZEV Purchase Exemption list?

The ZEV Purchase Exemption list will be made available by January 1, 2025. The list will identify general vehicle configurations that can be purchased as a new ICE vehicle because no ZEVs or NZEVs are available for purchase in the general configuration category. Vehicles on the list can be purchased without requiring fleet owners to submit a ZEV Purchase Exemption application. General configuration categories that will be evaluated include the following: Bucket truck, boom truck, dump truck, flatbed truck, stake bed truck, front-loader refuse compactor truck, side-loader refuse compactor truck, rear-loader refuse compactor truck, refuse roll-off truck, service body truck, street sweeper, tank truck, tow truck, water truck, car carrier truck, concrete mixer truck, concrete pump truck, crane, drill rig, vacuum truck. The list will not include common vehicle configurations that are already available as ZEVs like pickups, buses, box trucks, vans, or tractors. This will be updated when the streamlined list becomes available.

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.