NEW CLEAN TRUCK & TRAILER MANDATES APPROVED BY EPA & CARB

By Sean Edgar, CleanFleets.net, CMSA Associate Member

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly adopted a second phase of standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that will cut carbon pollution and improve fuel efficiency between 2018 and 2027. CARB has endorsed these manufacturer requirements.

While there is no proposed change by CARB on the Truck & Bus or Greenhouse Gas Regulations requirements, the cost of the new technology on trucks and trailers will be reflected in the sticker price that CMSA members pay to comply going forward. This can have big impact in the 2019-2022 capital planning to replace former "low use" or the pre-2010 model year diesel truck engines before the CARB 2023 deadline.

The manufacturer requirements are summarized as follows:

• Long-Haul and City Tractors: Class 7 and 8 combination tractors and their engines account for roughly 60 percent of total GHG emissions and fuel consumption from the heavy-duty sector. The carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption standards for combination tractors and engines start in model year 2021, increase incrementally in model year 2024, and phase in completely by model year 2027. The standards differ by vehicle weight class, roof height and cab type (sleeper or day). The fully phased-in standards will achieve up to 25 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption compared to the Phase 1 standards. Manufacturers will be able to meet the tractor standards through improvements in the engine, transmission, driveline, aerodynamic design, lower rolling resistance tires, extended idle reduction technologies and other accessories of the tractor.

• Vocational Vehicles: These vehicles include bobtail delivery trucks and other vehicles that represent about 17 percent of the total medium- and heavy-duty fuel consumption. The new carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption standards for vocational vehicles start in model year 2021, with increased stringency in model year 2024, and a fully phased-in stringency level in 2027. The vocational vehicle standards are differentiated using vehicle weights and driving cycle, and chassis.

• Trailers: The Phase 2 program includes standards for trailers used with heavy-duty combination tractors. Similar to our observations about CARB's trailer rule, CleanFleets does not yet see a specific exemption in this package for all household goods trailers with belly boxes. The standards begin in model year 2018 for EPA's standards and increase in stringency in model years 2021 and 2024, with final standards in model year 2027. The fully phased-in trailer standards achieve up to 9 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption compared to an average model year 2017 trailer. Technologies that could be used to meet the standards include: aerodynamic devices, lower rolling resistance tires, automatic tire inflation systems and weight reduction.

CleanFleets will be monitoring the rollout of this for our clients that are CMSA members. You may email Service@CleanFleets.net with any questions related to this article or call 916-520-6040 Ext 102.

September 2016 - CMSA Communicator