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EPA & DOT publish new truck standards Phase 2 of program addressing fuel efficiency and reduced emissions for heavy-duty trucks and commercial trailers announced ALAN BAILEY Petroleum News
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation have published a final rule for fuel efficiency and emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks and trailers. Called “the phase two standards” in reference to an earlier phase one standard for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, the new standards form part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan.
While the phase one standards, which EPA says have already reduced U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption, applied to vehicles for model years 2014 and later, the new standards will phase in gradually, going fully into effect from 2027 onwards. The standards apply to large trucks, tractors and vans, and to commercial trailers. New standards for trailers will go into effect incrementally, starting for model year 2018, while the standards for other vehicles will start incrementally for model year 2021.
EPA says that its phase two standards, while carrying over many of the approaches developed for phase one, also employ a more “technology-forcing” approach, using both off-the-shelf and emerging technologies. The standards set for 2027 assume that vehicle and engine manufacturers will need to use these technologies, EPA says. Engine technologies that could be used to meet the standards include combustion optimization, improved air handling, reduced internal engine friction, improved emissions treatment technologies and waste heat recovery. Standards for trailers will address fuel-saving design features that could include aerodynamic devices, lower rolling resistance tires, automatic tire inflation systems and trailer weight reduction, EPA says.
Benefits of the rule The agency says that it expects the implementation of the final standards to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.1 billion metric tons, save owners fuel costs of about $170 million and reduce oil consumption by up to 2 billion barrels over the lifetime of the vehicles sold under the terms of the program. Estimated net benefits of $230 million, including climatic and health benefits, would outweigh the cost of the program by a factor of 8 to 1, EPA says. Moreover, the purchaser of a new long-haul truck in 2027 would, through fuel savings, recover the cost of the new fuel-efficiency technology in less than two years, the agency says.
Heavy-duty trucks currently account for about 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. transportation sector, EPA says.
“The actions we take today on climate change will help lessen the impacts on future generations,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy when announcing the new regulations on Aug. 16. “This next phase of standards for heavy- and medium-duty vehicles will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while driving innovation, and will ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in developing fuel-efficient technologies through the next decade and beyond.”
“Today’s ambitious but achievable announcement is a huge win for the American people, giving us cleaner air, more money saved at the pump, and real benefits for consumers across the supply chain,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
Mixed reactions The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association has commented that its members are still in the process of implementing the phase one standards.
“The success of the phase one implementation is directly tied to the fact that the 2011 standards were well matched with EMA member efforts to meet customer demand for more fuel efficient vehicles,” said Jed Mandel, EMA president, after the new phase two standard was announced. “We are in the process of reviewing today’s highly complex rule to determine if it aligns with manufacturers’ efforts and customer needs. If not, the phase two program would impose enormous costs on our customers, constrain customer choice, and, as a result, impose significant challenges to its successful implementation.”
Transportation professionals’ organization NAFA Fleet Management Association worries that the new regulations will subject vehicle fleets to standards and technologies for which they are not prepared and cannot afford.
“The parameters of the Phase two rules do not take into account the realities of fleet operations,” said Phillip Russo, NAFA CEO. “The federal government has overestimated the impact of the new standards by assuming a more robust and fuller adoption of the standards by fleets over a shorter period of time. The fact is that fleets will face increased costs for vehicles and maintenance associated with new technologies.”
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