Certain type of vehicle to be ‘banned’ in weeks under new law but there’s a loophole for potential buyers

ROAD trips could come to a screeching halt in just weeks thanks to a new proposal to ban RVs completely.

Automakers and environmental leaders are sparring over a crackdown on diesel emissions, but potential motorhome buyers have found a loophole.

The drama started on October 24, when the California Air Resources Board voted to increase regulations on car manufacturers that make vehicles over 8,500 pounds.

Environmental officials want automakers to increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles they make in their long-shot effort to ban gas-powered cars completely by 2035.

But manufacturers say that technology doesn’t even exist yet for diesel-powered motorhomes, which would be disproportionately affected by the law.

Automakers have argued that RVs aren’t popular enough to be driven off the road by overreaching regulations and urged CARB to stand down.

“RVs are low mileage, low fuel, and thus low-emission vehicles due to the low usage,” Freightliner Customer Chassis leader Joy Snyder told CARB in an October 24 meeting, SFGATE reported.

However, CARB hit back, saying there’s no official ban and that manufacturers are being limited through a credit system.

Automakers must earn credits to produce gas-powered engines by developing zero-emission vehicles.

Those who lack the technology to make EVs can borrow credits from other companies, which provides “the flexibility needed to sell as many internal combustion engines as is needed to meet market demands,” a CARB spokesperson told SFGATE.

CARB adopted this law from other states like New York, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts, where diesel automakers have already been pushed out.

Newmar, a luxury RV manufacturer, penned a desperate letter to CARB saying they would have to leave the state immediately if the law is passed, RV Travel reported.

According to the company, Ford is the only automaker that will be able to survive the new regulations.

For now, the RV Industry Association is pleading with the CARB to make an exception for motorhomes so they aren’t driven out of the state.

“The RV Industry Association continues to work with CARB staff on the ACT with their staff looking to hear more from our members and understand why chassis manufacturers will not be able to deliver products,” they said in a statement.

“While we are continuing to work with manufacturers, dealers, and CARB to find a solution, if nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold and registered in California beginning in 2025.

“The exact date is still to be determined.”

Drivers who wish to dodge the ban and purchase a motorhome must now get a used vehicle.

Any RV with over 7,500 miles on the odometer can be bought under the new law.

In other motorhome news, it was revealed that the world’s most expensive RV includes a roof deck, wine cellar, and garage.

Plus, another expensive motorhome has a movie theatre, two kitchens, and luxury bedrooms.

And a traveler has found out how to live off-grid in her campervan without ever losing cell service.

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