NGVAmerica and its member companies commend the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the proposal to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s trucks. The proposal, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—Phase 2, is expected to greatly improve the fuel efficiency and emissions performance of new medium- and heavy-duty trucks, including those powered by natural gas.
“Today’s proposal has the potential to be a win-win-win that will lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fuel costs and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Matthew Godlewski, President of NGVAmerica. “NGVAmerica and its members welcome today’s announcement, and we look forward to working with EPA, NHTSA and the administration to finalize a rule that will meet these important goals.”
The initiative builds on the first EPA/NHTSA rule for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which was finalized in 2011. The Phase 1 rule covered trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles manufactured in model years 2014–2018, and built the foundation for this proposal. The Phase 2 proposal is expected to be finalized in 2016, and will cover vehicles built after 2018.
“Under the Phase 1 rule, natural gas trucks and buses are already delivering lower fuel costs and reduced emissions to fleet operators and consumers nationwide,” said Godlewski. “We have appreciated the administration’s collaborative effort in developing this proposal. Phase 2 rule will build new opportunities for fleets to use natural gas to further reduce fuel costs and emissions, while increasing energy security.”
Source: NGVAmerica
