Truck Greenhouse Gas Regs are a Go

Today, President Obama met with industry officials to discuss the fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas pollution standards for work trucks, buses, and other heavy duty vehicles ‒ and to thank them for their leadership in finalizing a successful national program for these vehicles. This meeting marks the Administration’s announcement of the standards, which it claims will save American businesses who own and operate commercial vehicles approximately $50 billion in fuel costs over the life of the program.

Representing Mack and Volvo Trucks NA, Denny Slagle, president and CEO of both divisions of Volvo AB said in a Volvo announcement: “The SCR trucks we have in the market today are the cleanest in the world in terms of regulated emissions. Our focus moving forward is to continue improving fuel efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of both our products and operations, standing side by side with our customers in managing through the implementation of this new rule.”

Speaking as President of Mack, Slagle said, “While we haven’t had a chance yet to thoroughly review the final rule, we were pleased overall with the process, and the degree to which EPA and NHTSA involved and listened to the industry.” Slagle was among those attending the White House meeting.

“Certainly the regulation will challenge the industry,” he said, “but our past success gives us confidence we’ll meet the challenge. Our focus now is on doing so in a way that minimizes any negative consequences for our customers.”

Also quick with a supportive statement, Cummins officials made it clear they were in full support of the commitment to heavy-truck fuel economy and the process by which the rules were created.

"Environmental regulations can often be difficult for industry, adding cost and complexity," says Rich Freeland, Cummins vice president and president - engine business. "Early on, Cummins set out with the goal of helping the government establish a clear, consistent, challenging and enforceable regulation that recognizes the needs of business and provides incentives to companies that create innovative technologies as well as jobs in this country. This regulation will add real value for our customers as better fuel economy lowers their operating costs while significantly benefiting the environment."

"The emissions technologies in use today provide the foundation for meeting the 2014 standards, and Cummins is ready to meet this regulation in 2013," says Dr. Steve Charlton, Cummins vice president and chief technical officer - engine business. "Certifying our engines early will deliver additional fuel economy benefits to end-user customers and provide installation stability to our OEM customers. Continuing the use of our existing architecture means customers can also expect improved reliability. This is simply part of the march down a path that we outlined several years ago to deliver increasingly clean, efficient and reliable products to our customers."

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the standards in close coordination with the companies that met with the President today, as well as other stakeholders, following requests from companies to develop a program.

“Thanks to the Obama Administration,” says Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, “for the first time in our history we have a common goal for increasing the fuel efficiency of the trucks that deliver our products, the vehicles we use at work, and the buses our children ride to school. These new standards will reduce fuel costs for businesses, encourage innovation in the manufacturing sector, and promote energy independence for America.”