EPA and NHTSA Adopt Phase 2 Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks

The White House released the Phase 2 Heavy- and Medium-Duty Vehicle Rulemaking that has been adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The program is aimed to promote the next generation of cleaner, more fuel-efficient trucks through the development and deployment of new and advanced technologies through model year 2027. The standards, which become effective for vehicles and engines in 2021 and for trailers in 2018, are expected to lower CO₂ emissions by approximately 1.1 billion metric tons and save about $170 billion in fuel cost savings.

“NGVAmerica worked closely with EPA and NHTSA over the past three years to ensure that the strong benefits of natural gas vehicles were reflected in developing a final rule,” said NGVAmerica President Matthew Godlewski. “Cleaner trucks are the goal, and I am confident that natural gas will continue to play a strong role in greening America’s heavy-duty fleet under this rulemaking.”

NGVAmerica has been following this issue closely and provided comments throughout the rulemaking process with the goal of ensuring fair treatment for NGVs and of promoting increased opportunities for NGVs. Although initial analysis shows meeting the Phase 2 Standards may present technological challenges for some vehicles, NGVAmerica is encouraged by the overall flexibility of the standards and the opportunities they create to improve the fuel efficiency and emissions of NGVs.

“EPA and NHTSA have worked hard to weigh a variety of important concerns with the final rulemaking,” said Dave McCurdy, President and CEO of the American Gas Association.  “It appears that they have found a balanced approach that supports continued opportunities to use more natural gas to meet our country’s transportation needs.”