Going Green!DOT, EPA Propose the Nation’s First Greenhouse Gas and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trucks and Buses

October 25, 2010 at 12:14 pm
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(Source: USDOT)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA)  and the U.S. Department of Transportation today announced the first national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses. This comprehensive national program is projected to reduce GHG emissions by nearly 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 DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are proposing new standards for three categories of heavy trucks: combination tractors, heavy-duty pickups and vans, and vocational vehicles. The categories were established to address specific challenges for manufacturers in each area.  For combination tractors, the agencies are proposing engine and vehicle standards that begin in the 2014 model year and achieve up to a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by 2018 model year.  For heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans, the agencies are proposing separate gasoline and diesel truck standards which phase in starting in the 2014 model year and achieve up to a 10 percent reduction for gasoline vehicles and 15 percent reduction for diesel vehicles by 2018 model year (12 and 17 percent respectively if accounting for air conditioning leakage). Lastly, for vocational vehicles, the agencies are proposing engine and vehicle standards starting in the 2014 model year which would achieve up to a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 2018 model year.

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Overall, NHTSA and EPA estimate that the heavy-duty national program would provide $41 billion in net benefits over the lifetime of model year 2014 to 2018 vehicles. With the potential for significant fuel efficiency gains, ranging from seven to 20 percent, drivers and operators could expect to net significant savings over the long-term. For example, it is estimated an operator of a semi truck could pay for the technology upgrades in under a year, and save as much as $74,000 over the truck’s useful life. Vehicles with lower annual miles would typically experience longer payback periods, up to four or five years, but would still reap cost-savings.

EPA and NHTSA are providing a 60-day comment period that begins when the proposal is published in the Federal Register.  The proposal and information about how to submit comments is at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm and http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy .

Click here read the USDOT presser on this issue.

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Event Alert: Clean Diesel Technology Showcase – September 29, 2009 @ Washington, DC

September 25, 2009 at 8:16 pm

Washington, DC is known as the power capital of the world. But on September 29 it’s going to be transformed to the CLEAN DIESEL POWER capital of the world.

Clean Diesel NGO Sign Final
From clean-construction equipment and the latest farm tractors to the cleanest big-rig trucks and most fuel-efficient diesel cars and pick-ups, come kick the tires, look under the hoods and climb into the seats of the most advanced diesel vehicles and equipment being used to power today’s economy while helping to solve tomorrow’s environmental, energy and climate challenges.
When: September 29, 2009
Where: Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004 (Federal Triangle Metro)
Agenda

10:00 AM Outdoor Technology Demonstration Opens 


12:30 PM Policy Briefing and Q&A
U.S. EPA Asst. Administrator for Air and Radiation – Gina McCarthy (Confirmed)
Steve Sandherr, CEO, Associated General Contractors of American (Confirmed)

1:15 PM Guided Technology Tour & Refreshments

4:00 PM Technology Demonstration Closes

Participating Companies:

  • Audi
  • BMW
  • BorgWarner
  • BOSCH
  • Caterpillar
  • Cummins
  • Daimler
  • GM
  • Honeywell
  • John Deere
  • Mack Trucks
  • MTU Detroit Diesel
  • Navistar
  • Volkswagen
  • Volvo Trucks