Reducing Air Pollution from Heavy-Duty Trucks
Eliminating these Standards would lock in air pollution &
low fuel efficiency for decades
In August 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation released a rule that improves carbon emissions and fuel efficiency standards for heavy duty trucks and buses. The current standards have not been updated since they werecreated in 2011.By the end of the implementation period from 2014 to 2018, the standards are projected to have reduced oil consumption by 530 million barrels, and carbon emissions by 270 million metric tons. By 2025, the U.S. will have doubledvehicle efficiency standards for passenger vehicles compared to those models built in 2010.
The Heavy-duty Truck Rule aligns standards between the EPA and NHTSA and builds on standards that are already in place for model years 2014-2018. It limitscarbon dioxide emissions (from tailpipes) and sets fuel economy standards for trucks starting with model-year 2018. The standards will cover model years 2018-2027 for some trailer trucks, and 2021-2027 for semis, large pick-ups, vans, work trucks, and buses. The efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks will increaseas much as 25 percent, depending on the type of vehicle. Some vehicle types will be subject to emissions and efficiency standards for the first time.
Here are fivethings to know about the Heavy-duty Truck Rule:
The updated standardswill save vehicle owners $170 billion.
According to analysis by the EPA, vehicle owners will save$170 billion in fuel costs over the lifetime of affected vehicles for model years 2018 to 2027. Overall, the standards are expected to result in up to $230 billion in net benefits, including money saved on fuel, CO2 reductions, health benefits, and energy security benefits.
Eliminating the rule will make us more dependent on foreign oil.
Heavy-duty trucks currently consume 20 percent of the oil used in the transportation sector. The rule is expected to reduce oil consumption by up to 2 billion barrels.
The updated standards will cut air pollution and reduce asthma and other health problems.
The new rule is expected to reduce CO2 emissions from trucks by 1.1 billion metric tons as well as reduce non-GHG pollutants such as particulate matter and ozone – pollutants with significant impacts on health. Overall, heavy-duty trucks account for about 20 percentof carbon pollution in the U.S.transportation sector in the U.S. These emissions are expected to surpass those from passenger vehicles globally by 2030.The transportation sector is the second largest contributor of greenhouse gas pollutionin the U.S. and accounts for 26 percent.
Companies, manufacturers, and trade associations support the rule.
The rule has received support from a wide range ofcompaniesthatmanufacture or rely on heavy-duty trucks including PepsiCo, UPS, and Daimler Trucks. The American Trucking Association has expressed “cautious” support.
Eliminating the rule will prevent the U.S. from increasing fuel efficiency standards for trucks and buses in the future.
If Congress overturns these standards with the Congressional Review Act, the EPA and NHTSA will be prohibited from issuing a similar rule in the future, essentially locking in current low air quality and efficiency standards for decades. These low standards will put U.S. vehicle manufacturers at a disadvantage in global markets with higher standards.