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Old 10-18-2019, 09:05 PM   #1
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Retrofitting for CA diesel emissions

Do the current, tough California emissions standards for diesel school buses apply to private owners wanting to register their old diesel schoolies in CA? What are the ramifications? School systems are being expected to retro-fit their buses and it's VERY costly!

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Old 10-18-2019, 09:07 PM   #2
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Do the current, tough California emissions standards for diesel school buses apply to private owners wanting to register their old diesel schoolies in CA? What are the ramifications? School systems are being expected to retro-fit their buses and it's VERY costly!
There's an exemption for RVs, although there is apparently some yearly paperwork you'd have to submit for it.
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Old 10-18-2019, 09:11 PM   #3
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There's an exemption for RVs, although there is apparently some yearly paperwork you'd have to submit for it.
Can you expand further on this? Do you have any links? This is a concern.
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Old 10-18-2019, 09:37 PM   #4
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Can you expand further on this? Do you have any links? This is a concern.
I did find this, which includes links to the CARB regulations and lists a hotline you can call:

https://dieselemissionsservice.com/2...omes-and-carb/

It does appear that RVs for non-commercial or non-government use are exempt from the new emission standards. I'm in CA so I will try the hotline during business hours, just to make sure!
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Old 10-18-2019, 10:13 PM   #5
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There's an exemption for RVs, although there is apparently some yearly paperwork you'd have to submit for it.
No paperwork. Just qualify as an RV and change title

In CA you need a bed, stove, sink and toilet. All permanent. They won’t accept cots and groovers
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Old 10-18-2019, 10:29 PM   #6
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No paperwork. Just qualify as an RV and change title

In CA you need a bed, stove, sink and toilet. All permanent. They won’t accept cots and groovers
This was my understanding but it's a previous post stating that paperwork would have to be filed every year, I became concerned.
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Old 10-18-2019, 10:38 PM   #7
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No paperwork. If your vehicle is less than 14001 GVWR you don’t need to worry. There’s a smog check that consists of a visual smoke check and reading ODB2 codes if your vehicle is so equipped. There’s no emissions analysis.
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Old 10-18-2019, 11:08 PM   #8
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No paperwork. If your vehicle is less than 14001 GVWR you don’t need to worry. There’s a smog check that consists of a visual smoke check and reading ODB2 codes if your vehicle is so equipped. There’s no emissions analysis.
I do not think this applies to motorhomes.
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Old 10-18-2019, 11:19 PM   #9
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I do not think this applies to motorhomes.
Which part? If it’s less than 14001 GVWR no conversion is required. So I guess you’re right. If you’re already an RV it doesn’t apply.

I think the subjective “smog check” applies to all diesels. They don’t want you deleting EGR valves. If it isn’t required for RVs then right on Cali!
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Old 10-18-2019, 11:21 PM   #10
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Link for more CARB info

In case I posted this incorrectly before, I did find this link:

https://dieselemissionsservice.com/2...omes-and-carb/

Even has a hotline you can call I see.

I wonder if there will be a glut of vintage California school buses hitting the re-sale market so school systems can avoid retro-fitting them.
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Old 10-18-2019, 11:38 PM   #11
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Can you expand further on this? Do you have any links? This is a concern.
I think I misunderstood things slightly here. This article: https://www.rvtravel.com/will-califo...ou-as-an-rver/ mentions that RVs are exempt from the requirement, but claims that this may not automatically apply to skoolies - you may still be wrongly denied registration.

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We’ve seen plenty of beautiful “retired” Greyhounds and truly imaginative school bus conversions. What’s the story there? CARB’s public information office tells us for folks who own these special conversion units, life (and exemptions) may not be as easy. Karen Caesar, a board information officer, warns, “Some vehicles will be difficult for the DMV to identify as compliant with the Regulation. CARB has developed the Excluded Diesel Vehicle Reporting (EDVR) System as a tool to assist vehicle owners who have had (or will have) their DMV vehicle registration denied inadvertently. This includes vehicle conversions to motorhomes.”
The thing I thought was a form you had to mail in is actually this EDVR system: https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/truckstop/azregs/edvr.htm which I guess is a sort of preemptive way of telling the DMV that your vehicle is actually compliant and shouldn't be denied registration.
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Old 10-19-2019, 08:06 AM   #12
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They sure do make it complicated

Here’s the link to what’s exempt.

https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/truckstop/tb/truckbus.htm

I guess I’ll be on the phone with CARB and the DMV Monday. I’ll update then.
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Old 10-22-2019, 11:41 AM   #13
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I called CARB.

If your diesel vehicle weighs less than 14001 GVWR their rules don’t apply. No engine replacement, no particulate filter, regardless of title body type.

Over that, it needs to be converted to a motor home. The title needs to be changed to MH. It needs to be reported to the EDVR system, including photos. The reporting is a one-time deal.
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