(a)

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this article, the power unit of a near-zero emission or zero-emission vehicle may exceed the allowable gross weight limits by up to a maximum of 2,000 pounds.

(2) The maximum allowance may apply to a single power unit or be distributed between more than one power unit, but shall not exceed a total of 2,000 pounds across a single vehicle or combination of vehicles.

(3) The maximum gross vehicle weight shall not exceed 82,000 pounds. (

b) This

section shall not be construed to exempt any near-zero-emission or zero-emission vehicle from the weight limits prescribed in

Article 2 (commencing with

Section 35600),

Article 3 (commencing with

Section 35650),

Article 4 (commencing with

Section 35700), or

Article 5 (commencing with

Section 35750) of this chapter. (

c) This

section shall not be construed to exempt any near-zero-emission or zero-emission vehicle from tire weight limits imposed by this code or in regulations adopted by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. (

d) For purposes of this section, “power unit” means a single unit or a combination of units in a near-zero emission or zero-emission vehicle that provide motive power to a drive system independent of any other power source. (

e) The terms “near-zero-emission vehicle” and “zero-emission vehicle” have the same meanings as defined in subdivisions (

c) and (

d) of

Section of the Health and Safety Code. (

f) This

section applies only to the extent expressly authorized by federal law.