Engine and Truck Manufacturers Ready to Tackle New EPA/NHTSA Rule to Improve Fuel Efficiency and Reduce Greenhouse Gases from Heavy-Duty Engines and Trucks

CHICAGO--August 9, 2011: The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced the nation’s first-ever regulations to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from medium and heavy-duty on-highway trucks and engines. The agencies’ work on today’s final rule began in earnest in May 2010 when President Obama announced the Administration’s intent to develop a single, coordinated, national greenhouse gas/fuel efficiency program for this major segment of the nation’s transportation sector.

“EMA and TMA members strongly support a uniform, national program to address greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency that aligns with the needs of their customers and the nation”

The Engine Manufacturers Association and the Truck Manufacturers Association (EMA/TMA) represent the primary manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty engines and trucks in the United States. We strongly support a uniform national program and commend EPA and NHTSA for the cooperative process they used in developing the final rule. Over the last year, EMA/TMA provided substantial comments on the draft regulation and also provided data and other input to assist the development of today’s final rule.

“EMA and TMA members strongly support a uniform, national program to address greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency that aligns with the needs of their customers and the nation,” stated Jed Mandel, EMA/TMA President. “We applaud EPA and NHTSA for their willingness to listen to manufacturers’ concerns related to the unique and complex aspects of the commercial engine and vehicle market and their efforts to finalize a manageable and implementable program that incorporates the principles outlined by the President and industry in May of last year. The final rule provides a novel program that expands the use of existing fuel efficiency improvement technologies, incentivizes the introduction of advanced technologies, accelerates improvements in medium and heavy-duty truck fuel efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.”

Commenting on the provisions of the final rule, Mr. Mandel stated that the EPA and NHTSA rule establishes an ambitious program that regulates, for the first time, heavy-duty truck greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency, and attempts to address the many diverse engines and vehicles that serve as the lifeblood of the nation’s crucial commercial transportation sector. “The rule establishes a completely new regulatory scheme requiring integration of more efficient powertrains together with fuel-saving components such as low rolling resistance tires and features to improve aerodynamics. Commercial truck manufacturing is highly customized and very complex; implementing a new and innovative regulatory program would be difficult under any timeframe. It will be especially challenging given the very short time before implementation. Nevertheless, we are optimistic that this program provides a realistic opportunity to meet that challenge.”

Engine and truck manufacturers have a long history of working cooperatively with EPA and NHTSA on successful and innovative programs. With our support, the United States has implemented the world’s most stringent emissions control requirements, resulting in a reduction of 99 percent of the exhaust emissions from heavy-duty engines. EMA/TMA will continue to work with the agencies to implement today’s rule to ensure that it results in effective reductions and improvements.

Looking forward, Mr. Mandel commented: “The ultimate success or failure of this program will not be determined by the agencies or manufacturers, but by the large and small businesses that operate medium and heavy-duty trucks. Fuel efficiency is a key performance criterion for those commercial vehicle owners. Engine and truck manufacturers are fully committed to making the rule’s greenhouse gas reductions and fuel efficiency improvements a reality while maintaining the vehicle performance that our customers demand.”

The Engine Manufacturers Association, which includes the Truck Manufacturers Association, represents worldwide manufacturers of internal combustion engines and on-highway medium and heavy-duty trucks greater than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. EMA/TMA works with government and industry to help the nation achieve its goals of cleaner air and safer highways, and to ensure that environmental and safety standards and regulations are technologically feasible, cost-effective, and provide safety and environmental benefits.