The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new standards for heavy-duty vehicles in late March that they say will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
“In finalizing these emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses, EPA is significantly cutting pollution from the hardest working vehicles on the road,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Building on our recently finalized rule for light- and medium-duty vehicles, EPA’s strong and durable vehicle standards respond to the urgency of the climate crisis by making deep cuts in emissions from the transportation sector.”
The new standards apply to heavy-duty vocational vehicles, such as delivery trucks; refuse haulers; public utility trucks; transit, shuttle and school buses; as well as tractors, including both day cabs and sleeper cabs on tractor-trailer trucks.
The final rule introduces stricter CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles starting from model year (MY) 2032, with some categories facing phased-in standards as early as MY 2027.
EPA asserts the new standards are technology-neutral and performance-based, as well as flexible, allowing manufacturers to select emissions control technologies, including advanced internal combustion engines, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, to meet the requirements.
EPA said the final rule offers extended timeframes during the program’s early model years to facilitate the advancement of vehicle technologies and the establishment of charging and refueling infrastructure. Additionally, the final rule incorporates flexibilities aimed at helping manufacturers meet the standards during the program’s initial stages.
For instance, the EPA said 17% of “light heavy-duty vocational” trucks must be zero-emission in MY 2027, but the rule does not go into effect for “short-haul (day cab)” trucks until MY 2028 and “long-haul (sleeper cabs)” trucks until MY 2030. In 2032, 60% of light heavy-duty vocational trucks, 40% of short-haul trucks and 25% of long-haul trucks must be zero-emission vehicles.
According to EPA’s analysis, the necessary heavy-duty vehicle technologies, charging and refueling infrastructure, and supply chains will be accessible to meet the final standards. The agency has also pledged to monitor the development and deployment of technologies by heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, as well as the establishment of electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure to ensure the effective implementation of the program.
EPA projects the industry will achieve an annualized savings of $3.5 billion compared to annualized costs of approximately $1.1 billion from 2027 through 2055. Additionally, with the vehicle purchase tax credits provided under the Inflation Reduction Act, buyers of new clean technology vehicles and day cabs in 2032 are expected to save on upfront vehicle costs and recover any additional expenses within two to four years, EPA said.
Moreover, purchasers of heavy-duty trucks in 2032 could potentially save between $3,700 and $10,500 annually on fuel and maintenance expenses, depending on the vehicle type, according to the EPA.
Trucking industry reacts
The American Trucking Association (ATA) said the EPA’s emission standards set unattainable targets that will significantly impact the U.S. supply chain and the transportation of goods.
“ATA opposes this rule in its current form because the post-2030 targets remain entirely unachievable given the current state of zero-emission technology, the lack of charging infrastructure and restrictions on the power grid,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.
Although the EPA’s final rule reduces the zero-emission vehicle requirements for the initial years, ATA contends that mandating higher rates in later years will only encourage investment in battery-electric and hydrogen vehicles. This could restrict fleet options, as the technology is still in its early stages and must be proven reliable, the group said.
Sean Waters, vice president of product integrity for Daimler Truck North America, expressed gratitude to the agency for addressing industry concerns about the rule’s initial challenges and affirmed the company’s commitment to complying with its principles. The company emphasized that the successful adoption of these regulations hinges on the availability of dependable zero-emission infrastructure and ensuring business operations remain economically viable. Waters said the company looks forward to working with the EPA and state and local governments to deliver the infrastructure and to conduct business at a reasonable cost.
Other reactions
The American Lung Association and the Sierra Club praised the new rule, saying it would help eliminate the effects of climate change and air pollution.
“Today’s rule will improve the air we breathe and curb the pollution that is driving climate change,” said Paul G. Billings, American Lung Association national senior vice president of public policy, in a statement.
Katherine GarcÃa of the Sierra Club expressed satisfaction with EPA’s finalization of the federal heavy-duty vehicle standards. Garcia highlighted the alignment of the standards with Congress’ longstanding commitment to clean air and recent investments in cleaner vehicles, asserting that they represent a significant step forward in addressing the climate crisis and its associated impacts on communities.
According to the EPA, implementing the new standards will result in $13 billion in annualized net benefits, contributing to improved public health, climate stability and financial savings for truck owners and operators. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
