When the EPA first began mandating the reduction of air pollution, the State of California began its own initiatives under the state’s air re-sources board (ARB), or CARB, as it is commonly called.

Now, California has just stepped up its efforts with support money for its programs. Recently, it announced 40 projects designed to encourage the early adoption of alternative fuels in California. According to ARB chairperson, Dr. Robert Sawyer, “By encouraging the general public to accept and prepare for alternative fuels, we accelerate the transition to advanced technologies and minimize the environmental and health burdens associated with energy-consuming products. Any action that reduces emissions, diversifies energy sources and educates the public of the benefits of alternative fuels is a boon to the quality of life in California and is, by extension, a liberating force for the rest of the world.”

As part of ARB’s 2006-2007 budget, the California legislature tagged $25 million for the purposes of encouraging the use of biofuels and high-efficiency, low-emitting vehicle technology. The intent of the legislature was that these funds be used for projects that reduce air pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions through the benefits inherent in alternative fuels. The categories include: infrastructure for dispensing E85, other alternative fuels, hybrid-electric vehicle demonstration projects and alternative-fuel vehicle research, to name a few.

The fact that Dr. Sawyer encouraged the general public to accept and prepare for alternative fuels and advanced technologies and then backed that up with financial support may be music to the ears of truck engine OEs. A case in point: In January of this year, Mack Trucks Inc. held a press event in Washington to show off its Granite truck equipped with hybrid technology that was in testing with the U.S. Air Force. At that time, Mack’s president and CEO, Paul Vikner, pointed out that these types of initiatives – primarily the costs associated with the technology and testing – need to be supported by government initiatives. Six months later, a state government has done just that.

But, California is not the only state taking a more proactive role in controlling its own air pollution. Start-ing with the 2008 model year, new passenger cars and light-duty trucks (8,500 lbs. GVW or less) sold or leased and registered or titled in Pennsylvania must be either certified for use in California by CARB or certified for use in all 50 states. Other states with similar limits to CARB include: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine and New Jersey.

Light- and medium-duty truck and engine manufacturers are well prepared for these rulings. Mitsubishi Fuso, for instance, just introduced its 2008 Class 3 FE 125 with OBD-II. Its Class 4-7 trucks are equipped with engine manufacturer diagnostics (EMD).

Other Class 3-7 engine and truck manufacturers have already followed suit or soon will. FE

Carol Birkland, Editor