News: Final Regs on Emissions Due

CARB has replaced its original proposal, which would have required that all spark-ignition lift trucks over 8,000-lb. capacity be replaced by electrics, with a two-part approach: progressively lower emissions limits imposed on manufacturers of lift truck engines in 2007 and 2010; and progressively lower "fleet-average" standards imposed on endusers in 2009, 2011 and 2013. CARB views the manufacturer emission standards as the longer-term solution to LSI emissions, but wants the fleet-average standards in order to accelerate the use of cleaner equipment while the lower-emitting technology is being introduced into the market. End-users would meet the fleet-average standards by retrofitting older units and by purchasing electric units and/or cleaner spark-ignition units as their fleets are replaced. The extent to which end-users will need to accelerate their fleet turnover and/or incorporate more electric units will vary from user to user.

One area that CARB is still struggling with is how to handle rental/lease units in the fleet-average program. CARB's current proposal states that units rented for 30 days or less shall be a part of the rental company's fleet, while units rented for more than 30 days will become part of the enduser's fleet.