EPA, DOT Propose First Fuel Efficiency and GHG Standards for Heavy-Duty Trucks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have proposed the first-ever fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards for heavy-duty trucks and buses.

According to the proposed regulations, vocational vehicles such as garbage trucks would have to implement engine and vehicle standards that would result in 10 percent reductions in both greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption from model year 2014 to model year 2018. New standards for tractor trailers would achieve 20 percent reductions in both greenhouse emissions and fuel consumption during the same timeframe, according to EPA and DOT.

EPA and DOT say the new standards would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 250 million metric tons and cut oil consumption by 500 million barrels over the lives of the vehicles produced during the first five years of the program.

There will be a 60-day comment period following the publishing of the proposed standards in the Federal Register. For more information on the proposal and how to submit comments, visit the EPA's website and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.