California is aggressively transitioning medium- and heavy-duty trucks to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, adopted by CARB, sets a roadmap for fleet electrification — but the 2026 reality for fence contractors is nuanced. This guide breaks it down so you know exactly what your work trucks are facing.
Understanding the Advanced Clean Fleets Rule
The ACF regulation primarily affects trucks over 8,500 pounds GVWR, including pickups, 3-axle trucks, and other vehicles common in fence contracting. Its goals:
- Reduce emissions in California’s trucking sector.
- Require government and high-priority fleets to transition to ZEVs.
- Complement the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, which pushes manufacturers to sell more electric trucks.
The rule has several categories of fleets:
- State & Local Government Fleets – full compliance required.
- High-Priority and Federal Fleets – mostly private fleets with ≥50 trucks or ≥$50M in revenue.
- Drayage Trucks – port and railyard vehicles.
2026 Reality Check: Who Must Comply
A. High-Priority / Private Fleets
Update: As of early 2026, CARB has formally repealed the High-Priority and Drayage fleet provisions from the current ACF regulation. This settles ongoing lawsuits and clarifies private fleet obligations.
Impact for Fence Contractors:
- The original requirements to buy ZEVs or retire diesel trucks no longer apply.
- Compliance is effectively paused until CARB initiates a new rulemaking and obtains a federal waiver.
- Reporting remains mandatory via the TRUCRS system. This ensures fleet data is on record for other California programs, such as Clean Truck Check, and avoids fines.
Key Takeaway: If you are a small or medium private fence contractor, 2026 is not about forced fleet purchases — it’s about reporting and planning for the future.
B. State & Local Government Fleets
Late-2025 Update: The previous “100% ZEV purchase cliff” scheduled for Jan. 1, 2027 has been delayed to Jan. 1, 2030 to allow for infrastructure development.
Current 2026–2029 Requirements:
- 2026 Requirement: 50% of new vehicle additions must be ZEVs.
- 2030 Milestone: 100% of new purchases must be ZEVs.
Fence Contractor Implications:
- Bidding on municipal or state projects may still require ZEV or low-emission trucks, depending on city-level green-contracting rules (Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc.).
- Even with the state delay, contractors must plan for gradual fleet transition.
C. Milestones Option (Group 2 Work Trucks)
CARB allows fleets to follow a percentage-of-fleet transition instead of replacing every new vehicle:
| Compliance Date | % ZEV of Total Fleet (Group 2 Work Trucks) |
|---|---|
| Jan. 1, 2027 | 10% (opt-in for government fleets only) |
| Jan. 1, 2030 | 25% |
| Jan. 1, 2033 | 50% |
The Milestones Option is now primarily a tool for State and Local government fleets to manage their transition. Private contractors do not need to opt-in, because the mandatory purchase path for private “High-Priority” fleets has been repealed.
Note: This applies mainly to government fleets wanting flexibility instead of replacing vehicles on a strict “new purchase” schedule.
D. Drayage Trucks
Port and railyard trucks remain under CARB’s separate ZEV schedule. Fence contractors transporting materials through ports should monitor this if it affects logistics.
2026–2027 Insights for Fence Contractors
- Private Fleets (<50 trucks): The “must-buy” requirement is gone, but reporting is still mandatory.
- Government Projects: The 100% ZEV purchase mandate is delayed to 2030, but cities may enforce stricter local requirements as early as 2027.
- ACT Rule Impact: Electric trucks are increasingly available, while diesel options may be limited as manufacturers comply with ACT sales quotas.
Even if not required, piloting ZEV trucks now positions your business for future bids and helps you adapt to the evolving truck market.
Practical Steps for Fence Contractors
- Track Your Fleet
- Know your trucks’ GVWR, age, and emissions class.
- Prepare for future reporting requirements, even if purchase mandates are paused.
- Pilot ZEV Vehicles
- Consider small-scale adoption for vans or pickups.
- Test charging, range, and maintenance before the eventual mandate arrives.
- Monitor Municipal Specs
- City and utility clients may require cleaner trucks for contract eligibility.
- Anticipate these local mandates even if the statewide requirement is delayed.
- Stay Up-to-Date on Reporting
- Submit TRUCRS reports accurately to avoid penalties.
- Keep records for compliance with other programs (Clean Truck Check, CARB audits).
Key Takeaways
| Topic | 2026–2027 |
|---|---|
| Private Fleets | High-Priority/Drayage buy/retire rules repealed; reporting still required. |
| Government Fleets | 50% new ZEV purchase mandate continues through 2029; 100% pushed to 2030. |
| Local Requirements | Individual cities/utilities may enforce stricter rules in 2027 or later. |
| Fleet Planning | Even without mandate, ACT rule may reduce diesel availability — plan purchases carefully. |
Bottom Line
For California fence contractors:
- 2026: Focus on accurate reporting and strategic planning. No forced purchases for private fleets.
- 2027–2029: Government fleets still have a 50% ZEV purchase requirement; municipal clients may push early ZEV adoption.
- 2030 and beyond: Full state-mandated ZEV purchases for government fleets arrive.
- Start familiarizing yourself with electric work trucks now — it will give you a competitive edge in bids and long-term fleet planning.