What's At Stake?

Stop Pollution from Sleeping Truckers!

The California Air Resources Board is considering strengthening the existing state regulation which limits diesel truck idling to 5 minutes. The new proposal would expand idling limits to include diesel trucks with sleeper cabs, trucks that typically idle all night long. These changes are expected to more than double the emissions benefit of the existing idling limits and further reduce Californians' exposure to toxic diesel exhaust.

Current Law

California implemented a 5-minute idling limit in early 2005 which applies to all commercial heavy-duty diesel fueled trucks and buses.
Numerous exemptions exist including one which allows long-haul diesel trucks with sleeper cabs to idle for hours at a time during rest periods.

Proposed Changes

CARB is proposing two measures to further reduce idling emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles.

Starting with model year 2008, all heavy-duty diesel trucks sold in California will have to be equipped with an automatic engine shutdown device to be activated after 5 minutes of idling.
Starting January 2008, all trucks equipped with sleeper cabs operating in California must comply with the 5-minute idling limit. Lower emission methods of heating and cooling the cab during rest periods must be employed.

Benefits

In 2010, the proposed measures are expected to:

Reduce annual diesel particulate matter emissions by 153 tons per year in California. Diesel particulate matter is toxic and is linked to chronic bronchitis, asthma, heart and lung disease and even premature death.
Eliminate 17,000 tons of smog-forming diesel nitrogen oxide emissions, more than 8 percent of the state total from trucks and buses.
Reduce over 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, a heat-trapping gas which contributes to global warming.
Save over 100 million gallons of diesel fuel per year, over 3 percent of diesel consumption in CA.
Reduce exposure to toxic diesel exhaust for people living near truck stops, distribution centers, ports, and other areas where diesel trucks idle for extended periods of time.

Idling Facts

Nonessential idling from commercial heavy-duty diesel vehicles accounts for approximately 9 percent of on-road diesel exhaust emissions. Over half of these emissions are from diesel trucks equipped with sleeper cabs.
A heavy-duty diesel engine burns about 1 gallon of diesel fuel for every hour of idling.
The cost of idling alternatives can be fully offset by savings on fuel and maintenance costs.

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	What's At Stake? Stop Pollution from Sleeping Truckers! The California Air Resources Board is considering strengthening the existing state regulation which limits diesel truck idling to 5 minutes. The new proposal would expand idling limits to include diesel trucks with sleeper cabs, trucks that typically idle all night long. These changes are expected to more than double the emissions benefit of the existing idling limits and further reduce Californians' exposure to toxic diesel exhaust. Current Law California implemented a 5-minute idling limit in early 2005 which applies to all commercial heavy-duty diesel fueled trucks and buses. Numerous exemptions exist including one which allows long-haul diesel trucks with sleeper cabs to idle for hours at a time during rest periods. Proposed Changes CARB is proposing two measures to further reduce idling emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Starting with model year 2008, all heavy-duty diesel trucks sold in California will have to be equipped with an automatic engine shutdown device to be activated after 5 minutes of idling. Starting January 2008, all trucks equipped with sleeper cabs operating in California must comply with the 5-minute idling limit. Lower emission methods of heating and cooling the cab during rest periods must be employed. Benefits In 2010, the proposed measures are expected to: Reduce annual diesel particulate matter emissions by 153 tons per year in California. Diesel particulate matter is toxic and is linked to chronic bronchitis, asthma, heart and lung disease and even premature death. Eliminate 17,000 tons of smog-forming diesel nitrogen oxide emissions, more than 8 percent of the state total from trucks and buses. Reduce over 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, a heat-trapping gas which contributes to global warming. Save over 100 million gallons of diesel fuel per year, over 3 percent of diesel consumption in CA. Reduce exposure to toxic diesel exhaust for people living near truck stops, distribution centers, ports, and other areas where diesel trucks idle for extended periods of time. Idling Facts Nonessential idling from commercial heavy-duty diesel vehicles accounts for approximately 9 percent of on-road diesel exhaust emissions. Over half of these emissions are from diesel trucks equipped with sleeper cabs. A heavy-duty diesel engine burns about 1 gallon of diesel fuel for every hour of idling. The cost of idling alternatives can be fully offset by savings on fuel and maintenance costs. Go Back