CARB Regulation: Flexibility for Vehicles Needed for Emergencies

Operating Critical Infrastructure

• If CARB fails to exempt a broader range of emergency vehicles from its “Advanced Clean Fleets” regulation, communities throughout California won’t be able to respond to emergencies when the power is out. Untold human lives and property will be at tremendous risk.
• To keep water flowing in emergencies, staff must be deployed across huge service areas to turn off meters and deliver equipment or generator fuel so water is available and pressure is maintained – especially for firefighting. Yet, none of the vehicles used for these operations qualify as “emergency” vehicles under CARB’s ZEV rules. CARB must recognize this danger and build more flexibility into its mandate.
• The danger for Californians is there are no zero-emission alternatives capable of the immediate readiness and operational duration diesel and gas-powered vehicles offer. Worse, when the power is out – as it frequently is in emergencies - there’s no way to recharge these vehicles. Public agencies can’t be stuck wondering how to charge their fleets without power while enduring emergencies that can last for weeks.
• Communities and first responders can’t fight fires without water. We need vehicles immediately available that can operate around the clock, for days on end, to keep the water flowing. Lives depend on that, but there are no ZEV vehicles that can meet this need.
• No one is suggesting CARB’s ZEV proposal should be revoked. Public agencies responsible for lives and property in disaster response – and the people they protect – simply need CARB to include support vehicles needed for emergencies in ZEV rule exemptions.
• The threat to lives and property is real – we saw it in Los Angeles one year ago and we will see it again. Californians are calling on CARB to prioritize the safety of our residents and public servants before it costs lives in our community. Our communities deserve no less.

Return to Main Page