Propane industry body, Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have agreed to settlement terms in the case involving implementation of California’s Zero-Emission Forklift (ZEF) regulation.

In practical terms, the settlement means that there will now be no requirement for large spark-ignited (LSI) forklifts to begin to be phased out from 2026.

CARB, the organisation charged with protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and developing programs and actions to fight climate change, published an advisory update on its website noting the resolution of the suit.

“CARB will not prohibit manufacturers, dealers, or rental agencies from producing, offering for sale, selling, or renting LSI forklifts in California if the forklifts meet all other federal and state regulations,” the update says.

“CARB will not enforce the ZEF regulation for acts or omissions by the above-identified private parties that occur prior to U.S. EPA authorization of the ZEF regulation. CARB will issue a notice when authorization is granted.”

In opposing the regulation, WPGA claimed in September last year that it would result in significant costs to California forklift owners and operators. 

Colin Sueyres, president and CEO of WPGA, welcomes the settlement.

“WPGA and its coalition partners recognised early on that implementing this rule would prove costly at best, or completely infeasible at worst,” he says.

“By publicly declaring that the rule cannot be enforced and giving private businesses across California and the globe certainty, we can all work together to find workable solutions to improve our climate and air quality.”