The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced the approval of a rule which will require airport shuttles to transition to zero carbon vehicles by 2035.
“California continues its forward march toward a zero-emission future with airport shuttles presenting a great opportunity for showcasing this process,” said CARB Executive Officer, Richard Corey.
“The transition to zero-emission shuttles not only provides consumers with clean, quiet transport but will help further expand the reach of this ultra-clean technology into the heavy-duty transportation sector.”
The regulation, which will apply to the state’s 13 largest airports, will affect public and private fleets, including parking facilities, rental car agencies and hotels.
The move is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 500,000 tonnes, whilst also saving shuttle fleet owners an estimated $30 million (£23.8 million) in reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
Six airports in California have already purchased and are operating zero emission vehicles, with 100 more ordered, many of these through state-provided incentive funding.
A 13 year phasing in period will be allowed for the rule, with certain checkpoints – in 2022, for example, shuttle fleets will need to report the details of their vehicles, and in 2023, if fleets are replacing a zero emission shuttle, the replacement shuttle must be equally clean.
