1. (a) The definitions in Section 1900(b), chapter 1, title 13 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) apply to these procedures with the following additions:

   1. (1) “Diesel” means relating to a type of reciprocating, internal combustion engine that is not an Otto-cycle engine.
   2. (2) “Day cab” means a type of tractor cab that is not a sleeper cab.
   3. (3) “Deteriorated emission level” means the emission level that results from applying the appropriate deterioration factor to the official emission result of the emission-data vehicle. Note that where no deterioration factor applies, references in this part to the deteriorated emission level mean the official emission result.

   4. (4) “Emission standard,” as it applies to compliance with the Greenhouse Gas Requirements for new 2014 and subsequent model medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and the remedies provided for in the Health and Safety Code for noncompliance, relates to the emission characteristics of a motor vehicle and means:

      1. (A) a numerical limit on the amount of a given pollutant that a motor vehicle engine may emit into the atmosphere; or
      2. (B) a requirement that a motor vehicle engine be equipped with a certain type of pollution-control device or some other design feature related to the control of emissions.
   5. (5) “Gross combination weight rating” (GCWR) means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the maximum weight of a loaded vehicle and trailer, consistent with good engineering judgment. For example, compliance with SAE J2807 is generally considered to be consistent with good engineering judgment, especially for Class 3 and smaller vehicles.
   6. (6) “Gross vehicle weight rating” (GVWR) means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the maximum design loaded weight of a single vehicle, consistent with good engineering judgment.
   7. (7) “Heavy-duty engine” means any engine used for (or for which the engine manufacturer could reasonably expect to be used for) motive power in a heavy-duty vehicle.
   8. (8) “Heavy-duty vehicle” means any motor vehicle above 8,500 pounds GVWR or that has a vehicle curb weight above 6,000 pounds or that has a basic vehicle frontal area greater than 45 square feet.
   9. (9) “Manufacturer” means any person engaged in the manufacturing or assembling of new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines, or importing such vehicles or engines for resale, or who acts for and is under the control of any such person in connection with the distribution of new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines, but shall not include any dealer with respect to new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines received by him in commerce. In general, this term includes any person who manufactures a vehicle or vehicle for sale in California or otherwise introduces a new motor vehicle into commerce in California. This includes importers who import vehicles or vehicles for resale.
   10. (10) “Medium-duty engine” means any heavy-duty engine that is used to propel a medium-duty vehicle.
   11. (11) “Medium-duty vehicle” means any heavy-duty low-emission, ultra-low-emission, super-ultra-low-emission or zero-emission vehicle certified to the standards in title 13, CCR section 1956.8(h), having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating between 8,501 and 14,000 pounds.

   12. (12) “Model year” means the manufacturer's annual new model production period, except as restricted under this definition and 40 CFR part 85, subpart X. It must include January 1 of the calendar year for which the model year is named, may not begin before January 2 of the previous calendar year, and it must end by December 31 of the named calendar year.

       1. (A) The manufacturer who holds the Executive Order for the vehicle must assign the model year based on the date when its manufacturing operations are completed relative to its annual model year period. In unusual circumstances where completion of your assembly is delayed, we may allow you to assign a model year one year earlier, provided it does not affect which regulatory requirements will apply.
       2. (B) Unless a vehicle is being shipped to a secondary manufacturer that will hold the Executive Order, the model year must be assigned prior to introduction of the vehicle into California commerce. The certifying manufacturer must redesignate the model year if it does not complete its manufacturing operations within the originally identified model year. A vehicle introduced into California commerce without a model year is deemed to have a model year equal to the calendar year of its introduction into California commerce unless the certifying manufacturer assigns a later date.
   13. (13) “Motor vehicle” has the meaning given in Health and Safety Code section 39039.
   14. (14) “Sleeper cab” means a type of tractor cab that has a compartment behind the driver's seat intended to be used by the driver for sleeping. This includes cabs accessible from the driver's compartment and those accessible from outside the vehicle.
   15. (15) “Otto-cycle” means relating to a gasoline-fueled engine or any other type of engine with a spark plug (or other sparking device) and with operating characteristics significantly similar to the theoretical Otto combustion cycle. Otto-cycle engines usually use a throttle to regulate intake air flow to control power during normal operation.
   16. (16) “Tractor” has the meaning given for “truck tractor” in 49 CFR § 571.3. This includes most heavy-duty vehicles specifically designed for the primary purpose of pulling trailers but does not include vehicles designed to carry other loads. For purposes of this definition “other loads” would not include loads carried in the cab, sleeper compartment, or toolboxes. Examples of vehicles that are similar to tractors but that are not tractors under this part include dromedary tractors, automobile haulers, straight trucks with trailers hitches, and tow trucks. Note that the provisions of this part that apply for tractors do not apply for tractors that are classified as vocational tractors under 40 CFR § 1037.630.
   17. (17) “Useful life” means the period during which a vehicle is required to comply with all applicable emission standards.

   18. (18) “Vehicle” means equipment intended for use on highways that meets the criteria of paragraph (A)1. or (A)2. of this definition, as follows:

       1. (A) The following equipment are vehicles:

          1. 1. A piece of equipment that is intended for self-propelled use on highways becomes a vehicle when it includes at least an engine, a transmission, and a frame. (Note: For purposes of this definition, any electrical, mechanical, and/or hydraulic devices attached to engines for the purpose of powering wheels are considered to be transmissions.)
          2. 2. A piece of equipment that is intended for self-propelled use on highways becomes a vehicle when it includes a passenger compartment attached to a frame with axles.

       2. (B) Vehicles may be complete or incomplete vehicles as follows:

          1. 1. A complete vehicle is a functioning vehicle that has the primary load carrying device or container (or equivalent equipment) attached. Examples of equivalent equipment would include fifth wheel trailer hitches, firefighting equipment, and utility booms.
          2. 2. An incomplete vehicle is a vehicle that is not a complete vehicle. Incomplete vehicles may also be cab-complete vehicles. This may include vehicles sold to secondary vehicle manufacturers.
          3. 3. The primary use of the terms “complete vehicle” and “incomplete vehicle” are to distinguish whether a vehicle is complete when it is first sold as a vehicle.
          4. 4. You may ask us to allow you to certify a vehicle as incomplete if you manufacture the engines and sell the unassembled chassis components, as long as you do not produce and sell the body components necessary to complete the vehicle.
       3. (C) Equipment such as trailers that are not self-propelled are not “vehicles” under 40 CFR part 1037.
   19. (19) “Vocational tractor” means a vehicle classified as a vocational tractor under 40 CFR § 1037.630. Vocational vehicle means relating to a vehicle subject to the standards of 40 CFR § 1037.105 (including vocational tractors).

For purposes of this section, any cross-referenced section in title 13 or title 17 of the California Code of Regulations shall refer to the section identified as the alternative version “(Alternative)” for the corresponding section, to the extent an alternative version of that section exists.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 38501, 38505, 38510, 38560, 39010, 39600, 39601, 43013, 43018, 43101, 43104 and 43105, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 38501, 38505, 38510, 38560, 38580, 39002, 39003, 39600, 39601, 43000, 43009.5, 43013, 43018, 43100, 43101, 43101.5, 43102, 43104, 43105, 43106, 43205, 43205.5 and 43211, Health and Safety Code.

History

1. New section filed 10-2-2025 as an emergency; operative 10-2-2025 (Register 2025, No. 40). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-1-2026 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

2. New section refiled 3-26-2026 as an emergency; operative 4-1-2026 (Register 2026, No. 13). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 6-30-2026 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.