Megan Grennille
Your next visit to a truck stop may be more pleasant in a few years. New standards were announced on October 25th from the DOT (Department of Transportation) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in heavy-duty trucks and buses. The standards, which are set to be phased in on new vehicles in 2014, will include requirements to improve fuel efficiency which benefits businesses, the shipping industry, and cities and towns.
The large vehicles being targeted by the proposed standards are divided into three categories: combination tractors, heavy duty pickups and vans, and vocational vehicles. Combination tractors will have a 20% decrease in CO2 output as well as fuel consumption. Heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans will have separate gas and diesel standards; by 2018 CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will decrease by 10% in gas vehicles and 15% for diesel. Vocational vehicles, such as buses and utility trucks, could see a 10% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 2018.
The new regulations bring environmental and economic benefits. People who live near bus depots, cities, and highways should be happy. And, on those hot smoggy days near the end of this decade, the air will be a little cleaner.
What do you think of the regulations? Will they impact your business?
Your next visit to a truck stop may be more pleasant in a few years. New standards were announced on October 25th from the DOT (Department of Transportation) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in heavy-duty trucks and buses. The standards, which are set to be phased in on new vehicles in 2014, will include requirements to improve fuel efficiency which benefits businesses, the shipping industry, and cities and towns.The large vehicles being targeted by the proposed standards are divided into three categories: combination tractors, heavy duty pickups and vans, and vocational vehicles. Combination tractors will have a 20% decrease in CO2 output as well as fuel consumption. Heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans will have separate gas and diesel standards; by 2018 CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will decrease by 10% in gas vehicles and 15% for diesel. Vocational vehicles, such as buses and utility trucks, could see a 10% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 2018.
The new regulations bring environmental and economic benefits. People who live near bus depots, cities, and highways should be happy. And, on those hot smoggy days near the end of this decade, the air will be a little cleaner.
What do you think of the regulations? Will they impact your business?