Sleeper trucks now banned from idling in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Heavy-duty trucks with sleepers are now prohibited from idling for more than 5 minutes in the Golden State.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has passed a regulation adding diesel trucks with sleeper cabs to the current prohibition on diesel engines. The regulation applies to current and future trucks, and will go into effect in 2008.

The rule is a follow-up to earlier regulations that limit idling but excluded diesel trucks with sleeper berths, which frequently depend on idling for cabin climate control and to run appliances.

No Sleeper comfort in Cali without anti-idling devices

The first part of the rule regulates new 2008 and subsequent model year heavy-duty diesel engines, requiring them to be equipped with a non-programmable engine shutdown system that automatically shuts down the engine after five minutes of continuous idling.

The second component regulates in-use sleeper berth-equipped trucks, including those registered out-of-state, requiring operators to shut off their engines before the five minute idling time is reached. The rule provides for the use of alternative technologies to provide power for cab comfort, such as auxiliary generators, and on-board accessories that would otherwise have required continuous idling of the vehicle’s main engine.

“Idling emissions can be especially heavy at truck stops and also at warehouses, distribution centres and port terminals where loading and unloading of freight often requires drivers to wait, sometimes for hours,” said Barbara Riordan, Acting ARB Chair. “Fortunately several new technologies have been developed that provide for truck cabin cooling and heating when the truck’s main engine shut off. These technologies reduce harmful emissions, and reduce fuel use as well.”

About one quarter of trucks operating in California are registered out-of-state, with 90 percent of those vehicles equipped with sleeper cabs.