Proposed Standards Would Increase Efficiency in Heavy-Duty Vehicles

On Oct. 25, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) released a proposal for the first-ever fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions requirements for medium and heavy-duty trucks. These vehicles – which include large pickup trucks, buses, semi trucks and delivery vans – are responsible for 20 percent of fuel consumption on the road, but have not previously been subject to efficiency standards.

Proposed Requirements

The proposed regulations, which would begin in the 2014 model year, divide heavy-duty vehicles into three categories:

• Combination tractors (better known as semi trucks or big rigs) would be required to achieve up to a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by model year 2018, compared to a 2010 baseline.
• Heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans would be required to achieve 10 percent reductions from 2010 levels by model year 2018 if gasoline powered, and 15 percent if diesel powered.
• Vocational vehicles, such as delivery trucks, dump trucks and school buses, face up to 10 percent reductions from 2010 levels.

Energy Savings on America’s Roads

Heavy-duty vehicles present an opportunity to improve efficiency in a previously untapped area. Consequently, the EPA and DOT’s proposed requirements can result in large savings. These regulations would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 250 million metric tons and save 500 million barrels of oil over the lifetime of vehicles sold between 2014 and 2018, according to the EPA. Such fuel savings translate to in-pocket savings of up to $74,000 per truck – which could drive down operating and delivery costs for business, leading to economy-wide benefits.

The EPA and DOT developed this new proposal in response to a memorandum issued by President Barack Obama in May that asked the agencies to develop new rules for heavy-duty vehicles under the Clean Air Act and the Energy Independence and Security Act. The EPA and DOT currently are welcoming comments on the proposed regulations and will hold two public hearings in November.

“Efficiency standards for cars, SUVs and pickup trucks have had tremendous success in reducing our demand for oil,” said Lowell Ungar, Alliance director of policy. “Standards for trucks, buses and other heavy-duty vehicles are the next important step to achieve lower gas prices, cleaner air and greater energy security.”