On August 16th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule on more stringent truck emissions, primarily greenhouse gas emissions. This new rule, referred to as “Phase 2” of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from trucks by 10 percent by the year, 2027. The scope of this new rule includes most types of trucks including medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks, passenger vans, semi trailers, school buses, etc. The standards for the Phase 2 program will affect truck and engine manufacturers at different times; for example, trailer standards will begin in 2018, and truck standards will start in 2021.
As explained in the fact sheet provided on EPA’s website, “In total, the program will result in up to $230 billion in net benefits to society over the lifetime of vehicles sold under the program” (Page 2). This video explains this final rule in more detail. To read the final rule in its entirety, follow this link.