The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized on December 20 the national clean air standards to cut emissions from heavy-duty trucks beginning with model year 2027.
The new standards — the first updates to clean air standards for heavy duty trucks in more than 20 years — are more than 80 percent stronger than current standards.
This final rulemaking is the latest step toward implementing the Clean Truck Plan, which is moving America’s heavy-duty trucking fleet toward low-carbon and electric technologies. Additionally, President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are accelerating in zero-emissions truck technology, expanding access to clean school and transit buses, and training workers to install and maintain charging infrastructure.
“A concern I often hear from our members is that drilling rigs travel much shorter distances and are on the road far less than traditional heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles,” said NGWA Public Relations and Government Affairs Manager Ben Frech, “and because of this, a one-size-fits-all standard does not always make much sense, especially when you factor in the additional cost that comes with it.”
The final standards will reduce smog and soot from new heavy-duty trucks starting with model year 2027. The EPA estimates that by 2045, the rule will result in the following annual public health benefits:
- Up to 2900 fewer premature deaths
- 6700 fewer hospital admissions and emergency department visits
- 18,000 fewer cases of childhood asthma
- 3.1 million fewer cases of asthma symptoms and allergic rhinitis symptoms
- 78,000 fewer lost days of work
- 1.1 million fewer lost school days for children
- $29 billion in annual net benefits.
Relative to current rules, the new standards are more than 80 percent stronger, increase useful life of governed vehicles by 1.5 to 2.5 times, and will yield emissions warranties that are 2.8 to 4.5 times longer.
This final rule includes provisions for longer useful life and warranty periods. These provisions guarantee that as target vehicles age, they will continue to meet the EPA’s more stringent emissions standards for a longer period.
The rule also requires manufacturers to better ensure that vehicle engines and emission control systems work properly on the road. For example, manufacturers must demonstrate that engines are designed to prevent vehicle drivers from tampering with emission controls by limiting tamper-prone access to electronic pollution controls.
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For more information or to share your opinion with NGWA, contact Frech at bfrech@ngwa.org.