How Do CARB State Emissions Rules Affect Your Ability to Buy a New Stellantis Vehicle?

Stellantis has changed how it allocates new gasoline and plug-in hybrid vehicles to its dealerships, creating potential hurdles for buyers in certain states. This strategic shift is a direct response to the stringent emissions standards set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which 14 U.S. states currently follow. For consumers, this means the specific Stellantis model you want—be it a pure gasoline version or a plug-in hybrid—may not be readily available at your local dealer, depending on your location.

Stellantis brands include Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, and Ram. The company's new allocation policy is designed to ensure it complies with different regulatory environments across the country.

What Are the CARB Emissions Rules Stellantis Is Following?

The core of the issue lies with the emissions regulations established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), a state agency known for setting vehicle pollution standards that are often stricter than federal rules. Other states can choose to adopt these CARB standards.

The rules mandate that a specific percentage of an automaker's sales must be Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), which are fully electric, or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), which have both a battery and a gasoline engine. The targets escalate over time:

Stellantis is not part of a separate agreement that other automakers like Ford and Volkswagen have with CARB, which allows them to meet these targets based on national sales averages. Consequently, Stellantis must ensure it meets the exact sales percentages within each of the 14 CARB states individually, leading to its revised vehicle allocation strategy.

Which States Are Affected by This Vehicle Allocation Change?

The vehicle allocation policy directly impacts dealerships and buyers in the 14 states currently following CARB rules. These states are:

• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington

Additionally, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, and Virginia plan to adopt these rules in the future, which could expand the reach of this policy.

How Does This Policy Limit Your Choices as a Buyer?

Based on our assessment of the policy, your shopping experience will vary significantly depending on whether you live in a CARB state and what type of vehicle you want.

For Shoppers in CARB States:

• Gas-Only Vehicles: Stellantis is no longer routinely sending new gasoline-only versions of vehicles that have an electrified variant (like a PHEV) to dealers in these 14 states. If a model is offered with a plug-in hybrid system, finding the standard gas version on a dealer lot will become increasingly difficult.
• Potential Solutions: You may need to special order the vehicle directly from the dealer or be prepared to travel to a dealership in a non-CARB state to purchase one. Local dealerships might also arrange a trade with a dealer in another state, but this could involve a wait.

For Shoppers in Non-CARB States:

• Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: The opposite is true. Stellantis is not prioritizing the allocation of new plug-in hybrid models to dealers in states that do not follow CARB rules. This is because the company needs to concentrate its limited PHEV inventory in the states where it is mandated to sell them.
• Potential Solutions: If you live in a non-CARB state and want a PHEV like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, you may face similar challenges with availability and may need to explore special orders or out-of-state purchases.

Which Stellantis Models Are Currently Impacted?

The policy applies to models that have both a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electrified variant. The current Stellantis lineup affected includes:

• Jeep Wrangler 4xe (PHEV) and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (PHEV)
• Alfa Romeo Tonale (PHEV)
• Dodge Hornet (PHEV)
• Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (PHEV)

Most other Stellantis vehicles, including its popular Ram trucks, are not yet directly impacted as they lack electrified variants, though this will change as the company rolls out more electric models.

What Practical Steps Can You Take When Car Shopping?

To navigate these changes successfully, consider the following steps:

1. Identify Your State's Status: First, determine if your state is on the CARB list. This will set your expectations for which type of powertrain will be more readily available.
2. Contact Dealers Early: Call your local dealership and be specific about the exact model and powertrain you desire. Ask about current inventory and the process for a special order.
3. Expand Your Search Radius: Be prepared to search dealer inventories online within a wider geographic area, including neighboring states with different regulations.
4. Factor in Wait Times: Special orders can take several weeks or months to arrive, so plan your purchase timeline accordingly.

Stellantis has stated it is seeking a "level playing field" that allows for compliance based on 50-state sales averages. However, until such an agreement is reached, buyers should anticipate that finding their ideal Stellantis vehicle may require more flexibility and advanced planning. The automotive landscape is shifting rapidly towards electrification, and this allocation strategy is a clear sign of how regulations are directly influencing consumer choice.