EPA, DOT eye fuel-efficiency, CO2 standards for 2014 mixers, dumps

Sources: Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff

EPA- and U.S. Department of Transportation-proposed standards for vocational heavy-duty trucks, to be implemented from 2014 through 2018 model years, could net a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions against current Class 8 vehicles. With oversight from EPA and DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the standards would drive development or wider adoption of technologies including vehicle aerodynamics, tire rolling resistance, plus engine and transmission upgrades.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced proposed standards for vocational and other classes of trucks as part of a comprehensive national program projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 250 million metric tons and save 500 million barrels of oil over the lives of the vehicles produced within the program’s first five years.

EPA and NHTSA will open a 60-day comment period when the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The proposal and information about how to submit comments are posted at www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations and
www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy. The latter address also contains a draft Environmental Impact Statement comparing NHTSA’s proposed fuel efficiency standards with a number of regulatory alternatives. The agency is accepting comments on the draft through January 3.