The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to revise emission standards for on-highway heavy duty trucks and buses, which haven't been revised since 2001.
While the agency did not release a formal proposal for the plans – that’s slated for 2020 – they have announced the intentions of what they are calling the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI). The initiative is aimed at reducing emissions and “regulatory burden through smarter program design.” More plans will be made public in coming months.
A move toward more stringent standards on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions was met with open arms from several environmental groups and industry stakeholders, including the Diesel Technology Forum and American Trucking Associations (ATA).
"As an industry engaged in interstate commerce, ATA strongly favors a single national emission pathway as opposed to a patchwork of state standards," said ATA Executive Vice President of Advocacy Bill Sullivan. "Clean air and a healthy environment are important to all of us and the trucking industry has repeatedly demonstrated that it can work proactively and in partnership with the federal government in achieving these aims. We look forward to working with the EPA in developing a standard that achieves nationwide air quality improvements across the country while maintaining a strong and robust economy."
Diesel’s Technology Forum official statement reiterates the importance of reaching a goal of cleaner air. Officials say the initiative "sets the vision for the heavy duty diesel engines of the future as high-value assets which help achieve our nation’s future energy and clean air goals while also expanding economic growth."
Original Equipment Manufacture's (OEMs), like Daimler Trucks and others, attended the official announcement in Washington D.C. and publicly applauded the efforts.
“We are confident that the Cleaner Air Initiative will provide real world emission reductions, streamline certification and compliance, and continue to enable us to provide vehicles with the best [Total Cost of Ownership],” Sean Waters, Daimler’s director of regulatory compliance, said.
