If you operate trucks in California, you have spent the past several years trying to follow rules that keep shifting. First, California created aggressive zero-emission requirements. Then the timelines changed. Then, enforcement was paused. Now, large parts of the state’s Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation have been repealed, and more flexibility has been added.

For small fleets, independent operators, regional carriers and large private fleets alike, this uncertainty is more than an annoyance. It is affecting real planning. It changes when you buy trucks, how you budget for maintenance, how much fuel you consume, and how long you keep equipment in service. When the rules move, everything else moves with them.

California’s latest regulatory updates bring some relief, but they also expose a deeper issue. The state’s clean truck strategy is not only changing. It is becoming tangled in legal disputes, political opposition and practical barriers such as infrastructure shortages and weak demand for zero-emission trucks. Fleet managers are being told to prepare for a future that the market itself is struggling to support.

Here is what is happening now, what it means for heavy-duty truck operators, and how Greg’s Petroleum can help your business stabilize during unpredictable times.

ACF Requirements for Private Fleets Are Proposed for Repeal
In September 2025, the California Air Resources Board approved amendments that formally move forward with repealing the sections of the ACF regulation that apply to high-priority private fleets, Federal fleets and drayage fleets. These portions of the rule would have required many businesses to begin purchasing zero-emission trucks as they replaced older diesel equipment. With the September approval, private fleets are no longer expected to comply with the ACF zero-emission purchase mandates.

CARB cited several reasons for this change, including the federal government’s refusal to grant the necessary waiver, ongoing legal challenges and the need to give the trucking industry more clarity after years of shifting timelines and uncertainty.

Although these ACF requirements are being removed, California has stated that it will continue pursuing other strategies to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. Fleet operators should still expect new proposals and regulatory efforts in the years ahead.

Growing Tension Between Truck Manufacturers and CARB
At the same time that ACF requirements for private fleets are being rolled back, California’s other clean-truck policies are facing resistance from major truck manufacturers. Throughout 2025, companies such as Daimler Truck North America, PACCAR, Volvo Group North America, and Volvo Group International have warned that California’s zero-emission truck targets do not align with market realities.

Manufacturers report that demand for medium and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks remains far below what the state’s regulations require. They also argue that California lacks the charging infrastructure needed to support large-scale commercial ZEV adoption. Long permitting timelines, construction delays and rising electricity costs continue to slow progress.

Tensions intensified in October 2025 when a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking CARB from enforcing the Clean Truck Partnership agreement that tied manufacturers to California’s clean-truck goals. Manufacturers argued that they were being held to evolving rules that exposed them to potential penalties while the legal status of key regulations remained uncertain.

The result is a truck market facing significant instability. Manufacturers are unsure which standards they must meet, and fleets are unsure which equipment will be available, affordable, or required in the future. For California operators, this means their equipment will remain essential for longer than regulators projected initially, and the focus must shift toward controlling costs, maintaining reliability and preparing for future changes without overcommitting to uncertain technologies.

Environmental groups want the partnership to hold, but the industry sees risk
Several advocacy groups have publicly warned that withdrawing from the Clean Truck Partnership would harm the industry. However, manufacturers counter that maintaining a partnership built on targets that cannot be met would create even deeper problems for fleets, supply chains and the heavy-duty truck market as a whole.

What this means for fleets
These disputes are not abstract. They directly affect the availability, pricing and practicality of zero-emission trucks. If manufacturers cannot meet regulatory targets, fleets cannot purchase the equipment they need. If infrastructure is not ready, fleets cannot run that equipment. This creates more uncertainty for fleets that require reliable, affordable vehicles that can get the job done.

What All This Means for Your Operation
California’s regulatory system for heavy-duty trucks is now a patchwork of delayed rules, proposed repeals, legal disputes and infrastructure challenges. Fleets face three major issues.

  • Planning is extremely difficult. Truck purchases are long-term investments. Constant changes make it nearly impossible to know when to buy, what to buy, or how long diesel equipment will remain the most practical option.
  • Operating costs are becoming harder to predict. Fuel, maintenance, electricity, insurance and compliance all depend on rules that continue to evolve.
  • Diesel and gasoline trucks will remain essential for much longer than initially projected. Fleets are already keeping trucks longer while waiting for clarity. This increases the need for good maintenance, quality fuel and dependable lubricants.

Your business needs stability and predictable costs. California’s policy environment is not providing that stability. This is where Greg’s Petroleum Service becomes a crucial partner.

How Greg’s Petroleum Helps Your Fleet Remain Strong and Cost-Efficient
Greg’s Petroleum provides practical tools and dependable services that keep your operation running smoothly regardless of regulatory uncertainty. Businesses cannot control policy shifts, but they can control how efficiently they operate. Our role is to help you reduce costs, protect your equipment and gain more control over your day-to-day business.

  • Wholesale Fuel Supply Options: Fuel is one of the highest expenses for any fleet. By working directly with Greg’s Petroleum, you can secure a dependable, competitively priced fuel supply that adds stability to your budget. Reliable fuel access means fewer delays, better route planning and more predictable cash flow.
  • Fleet Fuel Cards: Fuel cards allow you to track expenditures, set controls on fuel purchases, prevent misuse and simplify reporting. This level of visibility helps fleet managers analyze consumption patterns, identify savings opportunities and keep drivers productive.
  • High-Quality Lubricants and Fluids: As many fleets keep older diesel equipment in service longer, proper lubrication is more important than ever. We provide premium engine oils, hydraulic fluids, transmission fluids and other products that extend engine life, reduce wear and prevent premature failures. Well-maintained engines run cleaner, last longer and cost less to operate over time.
  • Oil Analysis and Maintenance Insights: Oil analysis is one of the best tools available for predicting maintenance needs and preventing breakdowns. Our analysis services help you determine engine health, identify developing issues and make informed decisions about maintenance schedules. This allows fleets to avoid costly surprises and keep trucks on the road.

Consulting and Support for Long-Term Planning
Regulations will continue to evolve, and new programs are likely to appear in the coming years. Greg’s Petroleum Service helps our customers understand how these developments may affect fuel usage, maintenance planning and replacement strategies. We assist you in building practical, flexible plans that minimize risk regardless of the state’s next regulatory move.

Preparing for What Comes Next
California’s ACF rollback and the growing friction around the Clean Trucks Initiative show that the industry is entering a period of transition. Diesel trucks are not disappearing overnight. Zero-emission technology is not scaling as fast as regulators hoped. The rules governing your equipment will continue to be revised. Businesses that stay informed, protect their equipment and control their operating costs will be in the strongest position for whatever comes next.

If you want help building your 2026 strategy or improving your cost efficiency today, Greg’s Petroleum Service is here to support you. No matter how the rules change, your fleet still needs to run, and we will help you keep it running reliably and affordably with our commercial fuel delivery services and lubricant solutions.