'Surf's up!' But these aren't Pacific Ocean waves roaring onto California shores. No, they're tidal waves of protest from industry groups.

Industry wants to wash out a California plan to ban sales - starting in 2005 - of new, internal-combustion engine (ICE) lift trucks with load capacities of 8,000 pounds or less. To meet state clean air goals, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposes to allow purchases only of new, electric forklifts in these capacities.

'CARB's assumption that electrics can substitute for ICEs virtually across the board betrays a serious misunderstanding of the products involved,' argues attorney Gary Cross, general counsel to the Industrial Truck Association (ITA).

Backtracking, CARB has indicated it might water down its ICE ban to allow considerations of feasibility in switching to electric trucks. In mid-May CARB revised its proposal to recognize that 'electric forklifts may not be suitable for 100 percent of applications due to operation requirements such as specific terrain challenges or extreme hours of use.' Even so, industry trade groups remain steadfastly opposed to the ban.

The CARB plan threatens to decimate the ICE market in California; over 75% of spark-ignited, ICE forklifts have load capacities below 8,000 pounds, says Cross. Exclusive estimates from another industry source show California users purchased 7,800 propane-fueled ICE trucks in 2002 (chart).

CARB's proposal remains a 'draconian measure,' says the Propane Vehicle Council (PVC). Even softening it for forklift electrification where feasible, says Brian Feehan, the Council's executive director, 'is just one, initial step. CARB needs to take forty more steps.'

CARB staff revisions offer only token recognition of feasibility and economic impact, says ITA's Cross. 'You can't have a ban and then add exceptions; the exceptions will overwhelm the rule.'

Particularly troubling to ITA, says Cross, is the fact that CARB also will abandon in 2005 its ten-year-long effort to lower spark-ignited, ICE truck emissions. At significant cost to ITA member companies, these trucks now use technology that reduces emissions by up to 90%.

PVC projects lost propane sales to just new ICE trucks at nearly $5.85 million annually in California. 'Lost sales of forklifts and fuel are important,' says PVC's Feehan. 'But there also are the issues of practicality and what the customer wants and needs.'