California Air Resources Board

In 2015, U.S. EPA lowered the 8‑hour ozone standard from 75 to 70 parts per billion (ppb) (70 ppb ozone standard). The Clean-Fuel Vehicle Program is a Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan (SIP) requirement for areas designated as nonattainment and classified as Serious or above, and that meet the population threshold prescribed in the Act. Six areas in California need to fulfill the Clean-Fuel Vehicle Program requirement and have not previously submitted it to U.S. EPA, as applicable under the 70 ppb ozone standard. These six areas are fulfilling the Clean-Fuel Vehicle Program requirement by certifying that they prescribe to a substitute program.

California has opted out of the U.S EPA Clean-Fuel Vehicle Program using its Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) program as the applicable substitute since the 1994 California SIP was approved into the California SIP in 1999. CARB’s LEV programs are implemented Statewide and far exceed the level of reduction that would be achieved through implementation of the U.S. EPA Clean-Fuel Vehicle Program.

The Clean Fuels for Fleets Certification contains certifications for the following California ozone nonattainment areas:

• Coachella Valley
• Sacramento Metropolitan Area
• San Joaquin Valley
• South Coast Air Basin
• Ventura County
• West Mojave Desert

CARB Documents

• Public Notice (December 17, 2021)
• Staff Report (December 17, 2021)
• Resolution (January 27, 2022)