The Obama administration has announced that large pickups, semi-trucks, and school buses will all have to re-evaluate their environmental impact.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Transportation Department released new fuel economy requirements for trucks sold model years 2014-2018. The proposal seeks to reduce big rig consumption by 20 percent by 2018 while garbage trucks, school buses, and public transportation busses will need to reduce emissions by 10 percent. Heavy-duty pickup trucks will be getting their own new emissions standards beginning in the model year 2014.
These stricter fuel economy standards will join the car, truck and SUV standards already in place for 2016 (35.5 mpg). Plans are also being developed to increase the mpg standards to 47 mpg by 2025.
Lisa P. Jackson, EPA Administrator has said the strict emissions standards will not only reduce pollution, but “shrink fuel costs for small businesses that depend on pickups and heavy duty vehicles, shipping companies and cities and towns with fleets of these vehicles.”
The improvements necessary to reach such fuel economy standards will cost an additional $7.7 billion during manufacturing, but save $49 billion over the life of the vehicles.
So, how does the industry feel about these new standards? Rich Freeland, president of engine company Cummins Inc.’s, said the regulations would “add real value to our customers, as better fuel economy lowers their operating costs.” The president of the American Trucking Association, Bill Graves said the proposal was “feasible and can be attained through technologies currently available to motor carriers.”
This is a day late and a mpg short…. but as a supporter of environmental legislation I guess I will take what I can get. I am a big supporter of Obama but during this election cycle I wish he was less partisan and more mean spirited like the other side of the aisle.
Late indeed, but we should take what we can get and educate as many as we can about why this all matters so much. I think President Obama has accomplished a great many things and passionately support him, but his diplomatic efforts have perhaps given the other side too much credit (credit they have certainly not earned). Making change when we’re faced with such enormous obstacles is way more important than making friends.