More States Are Banning RV Sales Next Year—What You Need To Know
In 2025, major changes hit the RV world as new emissions rules went into effect across several states. California led the way with a ban on selling most new gas and diesel motorhomes over 8,500 pounds, with other states quickly following. While the goal was to reduce vehicle emissions, the shift left buyers and manufacturers facing a tough reality. Whether you're shopping for an RV or just curious, here’s what these changes have meant so far.
New RV Rules Began in 2025
In January 2025, California began enforcing a ban on the sale of new gas or diesel motorhomes over 8,500 pounds. Oregon, Washington, and a few East Coast states also adopted the same rules. This shift was focused on reducing emissions, not really banning motorhome travel outright. Used motorhomes remained legal, and people could still use and register them, but the sale of larger new models in these states came to a stop.
The Law Behind the Ban
The ban stemmed from California's Advanced Clean Trucks regulation. This rule required manufacturers to gradually shift toward selling only zero-emission vehicles. Since most motorhomes rely on diesel-powered chassis, the rule had wide-reaching effects, with class A, B, and C motorhomes being affected. Manufacturers couldn’t keep up with the new requirements due to limits in current electric vehicle technology, the only real path forward for zero-emission motorhomes. As a result, many stopped offering diesel chassis to RV makers altogether.
Who the Ban Affected
Buyers looking for new RVs had to tread carefully. Motorhomes with more than 7,500 miles on the odometer were still eligible for registration, so the used market got a bump, but anything new was off the table. Military and emergency vehicles were exempt, but recreational ones were not. The RV Industry Association worked to get exemptions for motorhomes, but no changes were made before the rules took effect.
More States Followed Suit
California's move had a ripple effect. By the end of 2025, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington also followed the regulation. Vermont plans to join in 2026, and Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, and Rhode Island announced they’d join in 2027. Together, these states covered about 41% of the RV market. The regulation aimed for full zero-emission motorhome sales by 2045. That timeline added pressure, even though the technology was and still is lagging behind where they'd like it to be.
Industry Struggled to Adapt
RV manufacturers scrambled to respond. Many simply couldn't get chassis for diesel motorhomes anymore and faced stalled production lines. Class A and Super C models were especially impacted. Some companies considered buying emission credits to stay afloat, but it's still not a long-term fix. The RV Industry Association had been pushing for better solutions since 2020, but negotiations with regulators hadn’t yielded much. Without the needed exceptions, many manufacturers feared a collapse in sales across multiple states.
What Buyers Could Still Do
Despite the new rules, buyers weren't out of luck. Used motorhomes with 7,500 miles or more remained available and legal to register. People could still buy from out-of-state dealers or in states that hadn’t adopted the rule yet. Some even considered registering RVs in non-restricted states, while others explored co-op ownership or joined waitlists for pre-ban models. Dealers helped buyers navigate these changes, but new diesel RVs in affected states became much harder to find.
What's Next for the RV Market
The RV Industry Association are continuing its talks with regulators after the 2025 changes. They pushing for alternatives, noting that large motorhomes had specific needs for power, range, and space that current electric systems couldn't meet. New chassis designs and energy solutions are in the works, but nothing had been rolled out yet. While the road ahead looked uncertain, the industry is still hoping for practical compromises that will keep RV travel alive without sacrificing environmental goals. As more states adopt these regulations, that pressure will only grow, so we might start seeing big innovations faster than previously thought. Keep an eye out!