EPA, NHTSA Seek Deeper Cuts in Carbon Emissions for U.S. Trucks
The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday announced the draft standards, which are engineered with global warming and fuel efficiency in mind. The agencies said the strategy will also spur mechanical innovation, as engineers work to make heavy-duty gasoline combustion engines more efficient and less thirsty.
The proposed standards intend to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1 billion metric tons, cut fuel costs by $170 billion, and reduce oil consumption by as many as 1.8 billion barrels over the lifetime of the vehicles sold under the program, the agencies said.
“We are delivering big time on President Obama‘s call to cut carbon pollution,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. “With emission reductions weighing in at 1 billion tons, this proposal will save consumers, businesses and truck owners money; and at the same time spur technology innovation and job-growth, while protecting Americans’ health and our environment over the long haul.”
The Transportation Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration joined the EPA in Friday’s announcement.
“Once upon a time, to be pro-environment you had to be anti-big-vehicles. This rule will change that,” U.S Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “In fact, these efficiency standards are good for the environment – and the economy. When trucks use less fuel, shipping costs go down. It’s good news all around, especially for anyone with an online shopping habit.”
According to officials, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles currently account for nearly a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions and oil use in the U.S., but they only account for about five percent of vehicles on the road. The new standards, which are a result of three years of research, will affect those types of vehicles manufactured between 2021 and 2027 — as well as semis, large pickups and vans, and all types of buses and commercial trucks.
“The proposed standards are cost effective for consumers and businesses, delivering favorable payback periods for truck owners; the buyer of a new long-haul truck in 2027 would recoup the investment in fuel-efficient technology in less than two years through fuel savings,” the joint statement said.
Friday’s proposal expands on current federal fuel standards that were implemented last year and are set to fully kick-in three years from now. The 2021 standards will emit up to 24 percent fewer carbon emissions than a similar vehicle built to the 2018 standards will, the agencies said.
“Today’s proposal builds on the fuel efficiency and GHG emissions standards already in place for model years 2014-2018, which alone will result in emissions reductions of 270 million metric tons and save vehicle owners more than $50 billion in fuel costs,” the joint EPA-NHTSA statement said.
The agencies said they hope the new standards will be finalized by next year, and that they will seek public comment for 60 days after a final proposal is registered. Two public hearings will also be held on the matter, officials said.
