By SDCN Editor
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) passed a new regulation that will phase out the operation of large spark-ignited (LSI) forklifts in California and spur the use of zero-emissions alternatives.
LSI forklifts are a source of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases, particularly in parts of the state that continue to exceed federal ozone standards.
Under the rule, manufacturers cannot produce or sell, for use in California, Class IV, and Class V LSI forklifts – categories that largely operate on propane, gasoline, and natural gas – beginning in 2026. The rule also phases out spark-ignited forklifts by large fleets, defined as 26 units or more, starting in 2028. The phase-out schedule is by model year and designed so that no forklift is required to be phased out before it is 10 years old. Smaller fleets will phase out the use of spark-ignited forklifts starting in 2029.
This rule addresses more than 89,000 spark-ignited forklifts currently operating in the state. CARB estimates that more than 2 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions will be avoided per day by 2031 – which is the equivalent of removing 1.2 million miles traveled by a gasoline-powered car. Forklifts are well-suited for widespread adoption of zero-emission technology, and about half of forklift sales in California today are zero-emission.
“California has an ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, and getting there means tackling all sources of pollution that contribute to poor air quality and climate change,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “Today’s vote makes the forklifts that operate in the state part of the solution toward healthier communities and clean air.”
The Zero-Emission Forklift Regulation is expected to yield $7.5 billion in health benefit savings from 2026 to 2043 from reduced hospital visits and medical care due to issues such as cardiovascular disease and asthma or other health issues impacted by pollution. Owners and operators also are expected to see $2.7 billion in net fleet cost savings from lowered operating costs.
CARB developed the regulation based on input from an extensive public process that included public meetings, workshops, stakeholder input, and site visits. As a result of the input received, the regulation includes compliance exemptions for special circumstances including low-use forklifts, emergency operation forklifts, and those forklifts used in the field for agricultural or forest operations. The regulation also included compliance extensions for delays with infrastructure construction, infrastructure site electrification, zero-emission forklift delivery, and operational issues if a zero-emission forklift cannot meet an operator’s needs.
CARB coordinated with the California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, and electric utility providers during regulation development to plan for infrastructure and electrification needs.
Currently, forklifts in the state are regulated by the Large Spark-Ignition Engine Fleet Requirements Regulation, which was last amended in 2016 and targets fleets of four and over and does not include provisions for the phase-out of large spark-ignition forklifts, both of which are addressed in the new regulation approved by the board.
