Heavy Duty Trucking, July 2015

WASHINGTON report Much up in the air about new GHG rules proposed for trucking N ow that the federal government has unveiled proposed Phase 2 greenhouse gas emission fuel efficiency rules for heavy trucks truck engine and trailer builders will be busy digesting all the devils in the details of the joint EPA NHTSA proposal that winds its way over 1329 pages In announcing the proposal during a hurried press briefing held on June 19 the administrators of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency predicted the new set of rules would yield positive economic and health benefit results The Phase 2 regs will apply to 2021 to 2027 model year trucks and tractors and 2018 to 2027 MY trailers The rules will cover entire vehicles yet there will also be separate rules for engines About 10000 to 12000 in new equipment would be needed by a tractor trailer to meet the requirements said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy She said that much off the shelf existing technology now used to meet current Phase 1 GHG requirements can extend into Phase 2 but innovative technology will also be required Some of the new technology is now in development said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind We heard from plenty of companies who say they will be available soon McCarthy added that Everybody will have lots of choice There will be no one path David Cullen Executive Editor The Phase 2 proposals resulted from rigorous technical study and more than 300 meetings with manufacturers fleets owner operators drivers union leaders and others in the trucking industry she noted Thats why they know that the innovative technologies involving better engine combustion efficiency among other things are close to being ready Rosekind commented The two officials declined to give mile per gallon estimates which were asked for several times by general media reporters during the call in briefing There is no number to give Rosekind said because medium and heavy duty trucks and combination vehicles vary greatly in configuration weight and use What matters is freight efficiency McCarthy said The agencies stated in a joint press release that the proposal builds on the fuel efficiency and GHG emissions standards already in place for model years 2014 2018 which alone will result in emissions reductions of 270 million metric tons and save vehicle owners more than 50 billion in fuel costs Initial stakeholder reaction to the proposed rules ran the gamut from to cautionary to laudatory Engine maker Cummins Inc flat out said it supported the proposal noting that development of the proposed rule which is expected to be finalized in early 2016 has been a collaborative process among agencies and stakeholders Cummins welcomes the proposal with its goals to improve fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions creating a win win for both customers and the environment said Dave Crompton vice president and president engine business We are pleased that the new proposal builds upon the Phase 1 framework that aligns technological advances and industry success Cummins President and COO Rich Freeland said the company is looking forward to reviewing the proposal and working with the agencies and other stakeholders to make sure both the customer and the environment benefit The Volvo Group parent of Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks said it supports ambitious goals to reduce GHG emissions and fuel consumption for the complete vehicle including engine efficiency while providing overall value to its customers The company said it will prepare comprehensive comments to the rule within the allotted Reacting to the Phase 2 rules Cummins noted that its shown through our past accomplishments and projects like SuperTruck that we have the technological capabilities and leadership necessary to achieve and surpass goals and expectations PHOTO OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY 10 HDT JULY 2015 www truckinginfo com