By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
President Obama ordered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen the fuel-economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. According to the EPA, trucks account for about 20%–25% of fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions but only account for 4% of the vehicle population.
The current standards were developed in ’11 and are designed to reduce emissions from 9% to 23% between MY ’14 and MY ’18. In crafting new standards for MY ’19 and beyond, the government intends to work with the truck manufacturers and other stakeholders to take advantage of available technological innovations, such as engine and powertrain efficiency improvements, aerodynamics, weight reduction, improved tire rolling resistance, hybridization, automatic engine shutdown and accessory improvements (water pumps, fans, auxiliary power units, air conditioning, etc.). A proposed rule is scheduled to be issued by March 2015 with a final rule released one year later.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.