California has made headlines in recent weeks thanks to some of its more controversial environmental regulations. For example, at the start of the year, the state’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulations kicked in, placing quotas on the sale of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for RV and truck chassis manufacturers. That has led to some motorhomes and large trucks becoming unavailable while companies learn to navigate the new rules and meet ZEV standards. But recently, California’s Air Resource Board (CARB) backtracked on one proposed set of regulations by withdrawing a request to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval of the Advanced Clean Fleets rules, which looked to ban new diesel trucks and locomotives by 2036. Now, the organization has hit pause on another new set of regulations that banned the sale of gas generators.
Photo Credit: Pulsar
Late last week, CARB announced that it would temporarily lift its ban on the sale of portable gas generators, allowing consumers to purchase those devices through June 30, 2025. That means, over the next six months, generators that meet the EPA’s standards can be sold in the state, without having to meet the stricter California standards, which essentially required zero emissions. Those new regulatory standards went into effect in 2024 and also had an impact on the sale of tools like leaf blowers and lawnmowers.
The temporary pause on the regulations comes as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires, which to date have destroyed more than 16,000 homes and claimed the lives of over 30 people. The widespread damage from those fires has resulted in ongoing power outages, often lasting for days. And while large solar-powered battery banks from brands like EcoFlow, Jackery, and Bluetti can help keep the power on, those systems can be costly and time-consuming to deploy. Gas generators are quick and easy to set up and meet the temporary needs of most people, although they are somewhat noisy and produce emissions.
Photo Credit: Cummins
It is important to note that CARB defines a portable generator as one that produces 19 kilowatts of power or less. That means the units that are back on sale in the state are relatively small and compact, but will still provide power to those who need it. The board also lists a set of guidelines for manufacturers and retailers on its website.
Remember, CARB has not repealed its regulations on gas generators; it has only paused them in this time of emergency. If you find you need one of these devices, now is the time to grab one. Barring any unexpected circumstances, the ban will go back into effect on July 1, with these products once again disappearing from California store shelves.
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