Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Sept. 22, 2025:
CARB proposes to return to previous emissions regs
In the wake of Congressional resolutions signed by President Donald Trump in June to disapprove of waivers granted to California for certain emissions regulations, the California Air Resources Board is proposing to adopt “emergency vehicle emissions regulations” to reinstate regulations that were in place before the Omnibus Low-NOx rule for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and the Advanced Clean Cars II rule for light-duty vehicles.
The Advanced Clean Trucks Rule, which also had its approval revoked in June, is not mentioned in CARB’s proposal.
The state believes Congress and Trump’s actions to revoke the previously granted Environmental Protection Agency waivers for the regulations were illegal and intends to use these new proposed amendments to clarify and preserve its authority to enforce its own regulations.
“The goal of the Emergency Vehicle Emissions Regulations is to clarify and ensure that new motor vehicles can be sold in California despite the unprecedented uncertainty introduced by the federal government into CARB’s longstanding regulatory program,” CARB said. “These amendments will ensure that new vehicles and engines sold in California will, at a minimum, meet the emission standards and requirements for which U.S. EPA has granted a waiver that was not targeted by the congressional resolutions.”
For trucks, CARB is proposing “to amend its medium- and heavy-duty regulations to clarify that the provisions antecedent to Omnibus remain operative, with the caveat that CARB may enforce the Omnibus regulation, to the extent permitted by law, in the event a court of law holds invalid the resolution purporting to disapprove that waiver.”
[Related: Trump’s emissions rollback: What motor carriers & private fleets must know]
Robinhood ELD revoked by FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Friday that it has removed the Robinhood ELD from its list of registered electronic logging devices. FMCSA said the company’s failure to meet the minimum requirements for ELDs’ functional specifications resulted in the revocation.
As such, any truck drivers or motor carriers utilizing the device must replace the revoked ELD with a compliant device within 60 days. Anyone using the revoked device must:
- Discontinue using the revoked ELD and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data
- Replace the revoked ELD with a compliant ELD from the Registered Devices list before Nov. 18
Before Nov. 18, safety officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using the Robinhood ELD for 395.8(a)(1) – “No record of duty status” or 395.22(a) – “Failing to use a registered ELD.” Instead, officers should request the driver’s paper logs, logging software, or use the ELD display as a back-up method to review the hours-of-service data.
Beginning Nov. 18, however, motor carriers who continue to use the revoked device will be considered as operating without an ELD.
If Robinhood corrects all identified deficiencies for its device, FMCSA will place the ELD back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry of the update.
CCJ has reached out to Robinhood about potential correction of the issues identified by FMCSA but has not heard back. This story will be updated with any response.
[Related: FMCSA revokes registration of three more ELDs]
Harvest proclamation issued in Iowa allowing heavier hauls for select commodities
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Sept. 18 signed a proclamation related to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer and manure. The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through Oct. 18.
The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of the proclamation.
The proclamation applies to loads of the listed commodities transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system, and those that:
- Do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight
- Do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5%
- Do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds
- Comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.
Averitt recognized for sustainability efforts
Averitt (CCJ Top 250, No. 24) announced it has been selected as the recipient of Tennessee’s 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Clean Air and Transportation Solutions.
The award recognizes companies and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership in improving air quality and advancing sustainable transportation practices across Tennessee, the company said.
Averitt was chosen for its longstanding commitment to sustainability and measurable results in reducing emissions. In 2024 alone, Averitt said it eliminated more than 290 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), the equivalent of removing 30,000 passenger vehicles from the road for an entire year. Since becoming a founding member of the EPA SmartWay program in 2004, Averitt has reduced more than 689 million pounds of CO2 through investments in technology and innovation.
“Sustainability has been part of Averitt’s identity for decades, and this award highlights the positive impact our team is making every day,” said Barry Blakely, president and chief operating officer. “We are proud of the results we have achieved and remain focused on driving meaningful progress in environmental stewardship across our industry.”
Among Averitt’s sustainability initiatives:
- Auxiliary power units on tractors, saving more than 18 million gallons of diesel by reducing idle time
- Transtex trailer skirts that improved fuel efficiency and cut 256 million pounds of CO2
- Electric and propane-powered forklifts that reduced emissions by 13.2 million pounds annually
- Transition to ultra-low-sulfur diesel and renewable diesel, lowering particulate matter
- Use of on-site biodiesel (B10), cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 10% and decreasing fossil fuel consumption
Beyond fleet improvements, Averitt has also focused on facility and resource management. The company has saved more than 14 million kWh of energy by upgrading to LED lighting across its Tennessee facilities, eliminated 10.7 million pages of printing annually, repurposed nearly 91,000 gallons of used oil, and extended the life of more than 28,000 tires to reduce landfill waste.
Averitt also provides sustainability-focused solutions for its customers, including AI-driven route optimization, freight consolidation and intermodal services, and greener packaging and shipping options.
