January 8, 2020
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new initiative to achieve cleaner emissions from heavy-duty trucks.
According to the agency, the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI) will establish new, more stringent emission standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and other pollutants for highway heavy-duty engines. EPA is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders.
The initiative is designed to streamline and improve certification procedures to reduce costs for engine manufacturers. This action follows petitions from over 20 organizations, including state and local air agencies, to revise and promulgate more stringent NOx standards.
Over 100 million people live in areas of nonattainment for ozone and particulate matter (PM) and according to EPA estimates, heavy-duty vehicles will continue to be one of the largest contributors to NOx emissions – a precursor of ozone and PM formation – from the transportation sector in 2025.
EPA last revised NOx standards for on-highway heavy-duty trucks and engines in January 2001. Pursuant to the Clean Air Act, the CTI will provide manufacturers sufficient time to comply with new standards and ensure that updated standards consider feasible emissions control technologies.
EPA intends to publish a proposed rule in early 2020.
For more information, visit https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/advance-notice-proposed-rule-control-air-pollution-new