Feds Set New Efficiency Standards For Heavy-Duty Trucks, Vans And Buses

"The Obama administration on Tuesday finalized new fuel-economy standards for large trucks, buses and other heavy-duty vehicles, the latest in a series of efforts aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions and weaning the nation from its dependence on fossil fuels.

The new requirements affect a class of vehicles that includes school buses, large pickups, delivery and passenger vans, garbage trucks and long-haul tractor-trailers. These heavy- and medium-duty vehicles represent only about 5 percent of total highway traffic but account for 20 percent of transportation-related fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Administration officials said they expect that when the new standards are fully implemented in coming years, they will cut more than 1 billion tons of carbon pollution from the atmosphere, save nearly $170 billion in fuel costs and reduce oil consumption by an estimated 84 billion gallons.

“The standards promote a new generation of cleaner, more fuel-efficient trucks by encouraging the development and employment of new and advanced cost-effective technologies through model year 2027,” said Gina McCarthy, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, which developed the new rules in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “These standards are ambitious and achievable, and they will help ensure the American trucking industry continues to drive our economy — and at the same time protect our planet.”"

Brady Dennis reports for the Washington Post August 16, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"New Rules Require Heavy-Duty Trucks to Reduce Emissions by 25% Over the Next Decade" (New York Times)

"Trucking Industry Cautiously Embracing New Federal Standards" (Wall Street Journal)

"EPA Strengthens Greenhouse-Gas Efficiency Goals For Large Vehicles" (Bloomberg)

"U.S. Regulators Unveil Final Rule On Truck Emissions Limits" (Reuters)