The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/236631
I s this a case of win-win? Do the new regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions help both the environment and truck operators' bottom lines? So it seems. The regs, written by the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are formally titled "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles." They were effective Jan. 1. As the title suggests, lowering emissions of greenhouse gas, primarily carbon dioxide, is tied to fuel economy. The less fuel a truck burns, the lower its GHG output. Controlling GHGs could help slow down global warming with its rising seas and weather extremes. Here and now, trucks meeting the 2014 GHG limits are built to use less fuel. Although their purchase prices have increased, it's not by nearly as much as previous emissions mandates have caused. The details The regulations cover many types of trucks, from pickups and midrange work trucks to Class 8 road tractors. Exhaustive discussions describe freight and how it's carried within the U.S., and the shipping involved. The regs also list technologies that have been used to increase efficiencies in the various truck types, and might be used to meet the rules. In practical terms, buyers of new trucks need not sharpen their spec'ing skills, because obeying the regulations is the responsibility of the original equipment manufacturers. OE engi- neers and designers have been preparing their vehicles to meet the current mandate. Some were way ahead of the game, announcing back in 2012 that they already met GHG 2014 regs. They are working to comply with another round of limits in 2017. They've also begun compliance activities, which include computations to earn credits under the regulatory system and reports to the government agencies. "Tracking and reporting is an OEM internal activity, completely Tom Berg • Senior Editor 32 HDT • JANUARY 2014 www.truckinginfo.com