A List of Pre-Approved Aerodynamic Devices Now Available For Use in GHG Phase 2 Trailer Certification Process

A List of Pre-Approved Aerodynamic Devices Now Available For Use in GHG Phase 2 Trailer Certification Process

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is making available a list of all Pre-Approved Aerodynamic Devices that Trailer Manufacturers can use to certify trailers for the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Phase 2 Trailer Certification process. The list of the Pre-Approved Aero Device can be accessed at the Phase 2 GHG Trailer Certification web page or at the Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas (TTGHG) Interim Aero Device Approval Program page.

Background

In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) adopted the second phase of the GHG and fuel-efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks. The federal Phase 2 standards build upon the federal heavy-duty GHG Phase 1 standards. In February 2018, CARB largely harmonized with federal Phase 2 standards. The GHG emission standards in California will begin in model year 2021 for new class 2b to 8 medium- and heavy-duty engines and tractors, and will be fully phased-in by model year 2027.

The California Phase 2 GHG regulation also established CO2 emission standards for certain trailers used in combination with tractors. The trailer standards take effect for all trailer manufacturers in 2020. The standards are intended to make trailers more efficient and lower the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their use. Affected trailer types include box-type trailers (dry van and refrigerated van trailers of all lengths), flat bed trailers, tank trailers, and container chassis. Beginning January 1, 2020, trailer manufacturers must certify to California standards and receive an Executive Order from CARB to legally sell trailers in California.

During the Phase 2 GHG rulemaking, CARB also amended the Tractor Trailer Greenhouse Gas (TTGHG) regulation to harmonize with the Phase 2 trailer requirements and allow fleets to utilize tire and aerodynamic technologies approved under Phase 2 GHG procedures to comply with TTGHG trailer requirements. Since the California Phase 2 standards for trailers apply to trailers certified in the 2020 and subsequent model year, CARB’s TTGHG amendments also allow trailer fleet owners to comply with the TTGHG trailer requirements by using the Phase 2 GHG’s trailer certification technology prior to 2020 via a new program called the TTGHG Interim Aero Device Approval Program for 2018 and 2019. The TTGHG Interim Aero Device Approval Program allows aerodynamic device manufacturers to obtain a preliminary approval for the measured performance of aerodynamic drag reduction technologies.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the list of Pre-Approved Aero Devices, please contact Moslem Hossein Mardi, Air Resources Engineer, at (916) 440-8282. If you have questions regarding the California Phase 2 trailer certification, please send an email at TrailerCert@arb.ca.gov.