from Mark Smith, Advocate, California Builders Alliance
Folks, flagging for you what could become a major headache and concern for private sector companies that contract with state and local agencies to provide services (including building and construction services.
California's Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule underwent major changes on June 1, 2026. CARB repealed the enforcement of ZEV purchase mandates on private and federal fleets, focusing primarily on state and local government fleets. However, private operators under contract with public agencies are now subject to the regulation. [1, 2, 3]
Regulatory Status & Enforcement
- Private Fleet Repeal: Due to challenges in securing a federal Clean Air Act waiver, CARB repealed its authority to enforce the ACF rule on purely private and federal fleets (including high-priority fleets and drayage trucks). [1, 2]
- Contracted Fleets Exception: If you operate a private fleet but perform services under contract with State and Local Government (SLG) agencies, you are considered part of those entities' fleets and must comply with the ACF. [1, 2]
Requirements for Private Contractors
If your private fleet operates under a government contract, you are required to: [1]
- Report your contracted vehicles in the CARB Online System to determine compliance.
- Ensure the public services are executed by zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) based on SLG fleet rules and timelines.
Each of the links above takes you to an article or document for your review. Given that many of our Exchange members conduct public sector works, this is potentially a significant challenge and burden to the vehicle fleets of those companies. We need to share this information, and while there are many folks protesting and working to roll this back, prepare our members for a change that may be inevitable.
Thank you,
Mark
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MARK SMITH
Smith Policy Group
1001 K Street, 6th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 335-5072
mark@smithpolicygroup.com
smithpolicygroup.com