Assembly Bill No. 1346, banning the sale of small off-road engines (SORE) in California by 2024, has passed. SOREs are defined by the state as spark-ignition engines that make 25 horsepower or less in equipment. Portable generators are considered to be SOREs, including generators in RVs.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted emissions standards for SORE in 1990 and was the first agency in the world to control emissions from these engines. Due to the regulations put in place by CARB, SOREs are 40-80% cleaner today than they were before the program began. However, total smog-forming emissions from SORE already exceed emissions from light-duty passenger cars in California. SORE emissions are projected to increase as the population grows, while emissions from passenger cars decrease. By 2031, SORE emissions are projected to be nearly twice those from passenger cars.
As of 2021, 61% of California's SOREs are used in residential lawn and garden equipment, 8% in commercial lawn and garden equipment, 11% in federally regulated construction and farming equipment, and 20% in other equipment types (e.g., generators, pressure washers). While commercial lawn and garden equipment are only 8% of the SORE population, they account for 20% of smog-forming emissions from SORE during the summer.
The bill has RV owners concerned, and RV Business reports that the California Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (CalRVDA) is planning to fight the legislation. CampCalNOW will support the efforts of CalRVDA on behalf of the interests of our member RV parks and campgrounds, and will provide updates as they become available.
