A Heads-Up for Upland RV Owners

A Heads-Up for Upland RV Owners: California’s New Emissions Rule Is Changing the RV Market

Many Upland residents love to hit the road in their RVs to explore California’s beautiful parks and campgrounds. If you currently own a motorhome or are thinking about purchasing one soon, I want to share an important update about a new state regulation that’s starting to impact the RV market here in California.

Let me be clear up front: California is not banning RVs. You can still use your current RV, plan your trips, and enjoy the lifestyle as you always have. But there are some changes underway that could affect which types of RVs are available for sale, especially for those looking to buy a new motorhome in the near future.

What’s Changing?

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently adopted a rule called the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation. While it’s aimed at reducing emissions from commercial trucks, it also affects many RVs—especially the larger gas or diesel models like Class A, Class C, and some Class B camper vans.

The issue is that these motorhomes are often built on medium- and heavy-duty truck chassis—the same ones used for box trucks and delivery vehicles. That means the new rule applies to them too.

CARB is requiring manufacturers to gradually increase their sales of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) starting with the 2024 model year. But since electric RVs are still limited in range, availability, and power, many manufacturers are pulling some models out of the California market rather than face compliance penalties.

What’s NOT Affected?

Your current RV – You can continue using it, registering it, and enjoying your road trips with no restrictions.

Towable RVs – Travel trailers, fifth wheels, and pop-ups are completely unaffected by this law.

Used RVs with 7,500+ miles – These can still be brought into California and registered, even if they wouldn’t meet the new sales requirements.

What To Be Aware Of

• If you’re shopping for a new Class A or C motorhome, you may notice fewer options on dealership lots here in California.

• Prices may increase as supply tightens.

• Be cautious about buying a new RV out of state—if it has fewer than 7,500 miles, registering it here could be challenging under current rules.

• Electric RVs are still a few years off from being viable for long-haul travel or boondocking, so your best bet for now may be used models or towables.

This isn’t a ban—it’s a shift. The RV lifestyle in Upland is alive and well, but the marketplace is changing. If you're considering an upgrade or a first-time RV purchase, I recommend talking with an experienced dealer who understands California’s emission rules.

I’ll continue keeping an eye on this issue and how it might affect local residents and small businesses. I’ll also keep sharing updates as the regulatory landscape evolves.

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. I’m always here to help.

—
City Councilman James Breitling