OFF-ROAD VEHICLES
In 2007, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) began to adopt an off road equipment regulation for all in-use (existing) heavy-duty off-road diesel vehicles. This rule was created to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) and nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions. The Office of Administrative Law approved the newest amendments in December of 2011, simplifying this rule and providing a clear path to compliance without retrofits.
Who must follow the Off Road Equipment Regulation? Any vehicle with a diesel-fueled or alternative diesel-fueled off-road compression-ignition engine with a maximum power (max hp) of at least 25 horsepower (hp) operated in California. This rule covers all vehicles that cannot be driven safely on-road or registered in California—This rule is not designed for any vehicles that can function on-road, even if they are modified so that the can be drive on-road. Examples of vehicles included in this rule are off-road vehicles used in industrial operations, mining, and construction, such as airport ground support equipment (GSE), forklifts, backhoes, skid steers, excavators, motor graders, dozers, crawler tractors, and wheel loaders.
Large, medium and small fleets must comply—Requirements differ for each size of fleet. Additionally, reporting must be resubmitted when fleet size changes. Idling limits, transfer of fleet ownership, and provisions for special vehicles, such as snow removal vehicles, are all spelled out in the final regulation. It also includes the optional compliance schedule for fleets of 500 HP or less, which begins January 2019. Performance requirements are detailed in this regulation, along with specific information regarding BACT Credit earned, PM VDECS, and NOx VDECS.
Part of the requirements of this off-road regulation includes the stipulation that annual reports must be received by March 1st for:
- 2012 through 2023 for large fleets;
- 2016 through 2023 for medium fleets; and
- 2018 through 2028 for small fleets.
Your completed annual report must include a complete hardcopy of Responsible Official Affirmation of Reporting (ROAR) form or an electronic ROAR (e-ROAR) that certifies the info you are submitting is accurate and in compliance. This information is submitted through the Diesel Off-road Online Reporting System (DOORS).
You could choose to make sense of the CARB Knowledge Center for the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation, the 79-page regulation, and the DOORS reporting form on your own. However, to ensure compliance, we recommend contacting our experts at 559-472-7301 to help you navigate the specific rules that apply to your fleet. Only by understanding the law can you guarantee that your vehicles are in compliance.