Near-Zero-Emission and Zero-Emission Vehicles

Assembly Bill 2061 - Near-Zero-Emission and Zero-Emission Vehicles
AB 2061, to the extent expressly authorized by federal law, Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), authorizes a near-zero-emission vehicle or a zero-emission vehicle, as defined in subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 44258 of the Health and Safety Code, to exceed the weight limits on the power unit by up to 2,000 pounds. Copied below is the California Vehicle Code language that became effective January 1, 2019.

New Near-Zero-Emission and Zero-Emission Vehicle Law in the CVC

The California Vehicle Code (CVC) section that was in effect on January 1, 2019, is posted as the chaptered AB 2061 on the California Legislative Information website:

 35551 (f) (1) A near-zero-emission or zero-emission vehicle may exceed the weight limits on the power unit by up to 2,000 pounds.
  (2) For purposes of this subdivision, the terms “near-zero-emission vehicle” and “zero-emission vehicle” have the same meanings as defined in subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 44258 of the Health and Safety Code.
  (3) This subdivision applies only to the extent expressly authorized by federal law.

History

On December 4, 2015, the President signed into law the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), which authorized Federal surface transportation programs to provide guidance on truck size and weight provisions including that for natural gas vehicles. The provision for natural gas vehicles is located in Section 1410 Interstate Weight Limits:

Natural Gas Vehicles – A vehicle, if operated by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas, may exceed any vehicle weight limit (up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds) under 23 U.S.C 127, by an amount that is equal to the difference between: the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle; and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system. [23 U.S.C. 127(s)]