SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that it will not enforce its new Zero-Emission Forklift (ZEF) Regulation through at least 2028.
The rule would have banned the sale of all propane-powered forklifts beginning in 2026 and phased out their use entirely by 2035, resulting in a significant shift of the forklift segment in California to zero-emission technology.
This delay comes from a settlement to a lawsuit introduced by the Western Propane Gas Association in August 2024.
“This is a clear win for our industry,” Julie Kagy, CEM, Executive Director at the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), said. “The delay in enforcement of CARB’s ZEF rule gives our members breathing room, not to avoid action, but to continue leading with real, operationally sound sustainability practices. It also reinforces an essential truth: When policies are developed without input from the industry, they often miss the mark.”
According to Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the regulation relied on flawed data and unrealistic assumptions, and risked creating a higher carbon footprint from industry forklift use.
“ECA supports government sustainability and decarbonization efforts that strike the right balance between environmental goals and industry feasibility,” Tommy Goodwin, MBA, FASAE, CAE, PMP, CMP, Executive Vice President at ECA, said. “Unfortunately, CARB’s ZEF rule was well wide of that mark. ECA hopes CARB uses the years ahead to craft something more thoughtful with real stakeholder input.”
Advocacy Efforts
Various professionals, businesses, labor organizations and community groups, including ECA, ESCA and the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) advocated on this issue for more than three years before this win.
“It was achieved through focused, behind-the-scenes advocacy — the kind that doesn’t always make headlines but gets results,” Kagy explained. “We worked closely with industry and business groups to educate decision-makers on the operational realities of our sector. It took persistence, clarity and collaboration, but ultimately, we made our case and were heard.”
“We worked closely with the ECA to articulate the impact this legislation would have on the entire live events ecosystem, including the implications for show organizers bringing their events to convention centers across California,” Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, President and CEO at IAVM, said. “We leveraged direct messaging to our members to raise awareness, engaged them in conversations with California representatives and hosted webinars to discuss the overall impact. While we support efforts to make the industry more sustainable and environmentally responsible, such initiatives must align with what is feasible within current market conditions and supply chains.”
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Benefits
“This update provides our California members with additional time to build the necessary infrastructure to support the regulation and to train their staff in the safe operation of these [zero-emission] forklifts,” Mitchell said. “It also allows time to budget appropriately and to develop standard operating procedures for handling emergencies, such as battery fires.”
A Commitment to Sustainability
“This isn’t about pushing back on sustainability — it’s about doing it right,” Kagy explained. “Our members have been innovating for years, adopting lighter materials, reusable structures and more efficient logistics not because of regulations, but because it’s smart, responsible business.
“What we need are policies shaped with us, not for us. ESCA stepped in because we believe those closest to the work are best equipped to lead the way. We’re not waiting to be told what to do — we’re already doing the work and we’re committed to continuing that work in a way that’s strategic, scalable and grounded in reality.
“Across industries, we’re seeing a shift. Companies are reassessing their sustainability goals, pulling back from vague or performative targets in favor of programs they can directly manage and measure. Our industry is no different, and ESCA is proud to represent a community that chooses real impact over optics and smart progress over quick headlines.”
“IAVM supports and encourages sustainability initiatives that reduce waste, carbon footprints and negative impacts on the environment,” Mitchell added. “We look forward to continuing productive discussions with leaders in Sacramento on how IAVM can help drive realistic, positive outcomes for both the events and meetings industry and the physical environment of California.”
Click here to learn more about ECA’s 2025 Public Policy Agenda.
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