(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 2564, a measure sponsored by the California Trucking Association (CTA), which will deter the use of non-compliant “glider trucks” in California by increasing the minimum penalty from $1,000 per violation to $25,000 for those caught operating these vehicles.
“Members of the trucking community have invested more than $1 billion annually to retrofit existing vehicles or purchase new ones to meet California’s strict air pollution standards and regulations,” said Shawn Yadon, CTA’s CEO. “Unfortunately, there are those who have sought to circumvent engine-retrofit mandates and continue to operate dirty engines by utilizing glider kits to disguise their old and outdated engines.”
Glider trucks and new trucks can look the same on the outside, making it extremely difficult to distinguish between non-compliant and compliant trucks without taking a look under the hood. Because glider trucks are cheaper to purchase and operate using non-compliant engines with a minimal penalty if caught, some truck owners have purchased glider kits to hide these outdated, polluting engines and skirt state regulations that others have spent billions of dollars to meet California’s air quality standards.
The significant increase in the penalty in AB 2564 is critical to ensure operators are strongly deterred from breaking the law by operating a non-compliant glider. The $25,000 penalty will help eliminate any economic advantage that using non-compliant glider vehicles current encourage.
“Setting a minimum civil penalty for driving a non-compliant glider sends a clear message to those who might seek to break California law,” added Shawn Yadon. “More importantly, AB 2564 protects those truckers and fleets, who have invested billions of dollars in newer, cleaner trucks and engines, from any unfair business advantage by non-compliant competitors by leveling the playing field.”
The measure, which was authored by Assemblymembers Freddie Rodriguez (D-Chino) and Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino), sailed through the Assembly and Senate with near unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats, and will take effect on January 1, 2019.
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