US Federal Government Announces Historic National Greenhouse Gas and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trucks and Buses

The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have proposed the first national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency in heavy duty trucks and buses.

The program has proposed new standards in three categories of heavy trucks to be begin in the 2014 model year: combination tractors, heavy-duty pickups and vans, and vocational vehicles.  It creators project the new standards will "reduce GHG 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",

With the potential of between 7% and 20% fuel efficiency gains, the EPA estimates that the national program could net US$41 billion in savings and benefits to drivers and operators over the lifetime of new vehicles purchased between 2014 and 2018.

The announcement of these new standards comes five months after Barack Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the EPA and DOT to establish national fuel emissions regulations. 

“These new standards are another step in our work to develop a new generation of clean, fuel-efficient American vehicles that will improve our environment and strengthen our economy,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said.

She further added, “In addition to cutting greenhouse gas pollution, greater fuel economy will shrink fuel costs for small businesses that depend on pickups and heavy duty vehicles, shipping companies and cities and towns with fleets of these vehicles.  Those savings can be invested in new jobs at home, rather than heading overseas and increasing our dependence on foreign oil.”

Read the full press release at EPA: DOT, EPA Propose the Nation's First Greenhouse Gas and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trucks and Buses A win for the environment, economy and energy efficiency