Vehicles: weight limits.

Existing state and federal laws set specified limits on the total gross weight imposed on the highway by a vehicle with any group of 2 or more consecutive axles. Existing federal law prohibits the maximum gross vehicle weight of a vehicle operated by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas or powered primarily by means of electric battery power from exceeding 82,000 pounds. Existing state law, to the extent expressly authorized by federal law, authorizes a near-zero-emission vehicle or a zero-emission vehicle, as defined, to exceed the weight limits on the power unit by up to 2,000 pounds. This bill would clarify that the power unit of a near-zero emission or zero-emission vehicle, as defined, is authorized to exceed the allowable gross weight limits by up to a maximum of 2,000 pounds, as specified. This bill would also clarify that the maximum gross vehicle weight for a near-zero-emission vehicle or a zero-emission vehicle is 82,000 pounds.