The US Environmental Protection Agency issued tough new emissions standards on Friday for heavy trucks and buses, aiming to cut air pollution, tackle climate change and boost economic growth.
The new federal rules will reduce 1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year and provide $13 billion annually in financial benefits “related to public health, climate, and savings for truck owners and operators.” Big excavators, delivery trucks, cement mixers, garbage trucks, transport buses and school buses are included.
The California government enacted similar rules last year. The state's rules are stricter than the Biden administration's and are expected to remain so. The California rules will replace federal regulations for large truck fleets operating within the state, whether or not registered in California.
Unlike California rules, which mandate sales of new battery electric and fuel cell trucks at increasing rates through 2042, federal rules allow more fuel flexibility, as long as air emissions standards are met. Technically, all gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, hydrogen and electric trucks will be allowed, but even the EPA has acknowledged that the rules in place will require a significant increase in the numbers of electric trucks.
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These rules are similar to rules on passenger cars and trucks finalized last week that do not mandate specific technologies but will also lead to a rapid increase in the numbers of electric vehicle manufacturers that will be allowed to sell. California's rules are tougher for new cars and pickup trucks as well, with mandates increasing the percentage sold to 100% by 2035.
Twelve other states plan to follow California's lead on transportation emissions.
Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions: 29% of total emissions in the United States, and nearly 50% in California, whose electric power sector is cleaner than the nation as a whole.
It is also a major source of pollution that directly impairs public health, especially near ports and along major, densely populated transport corridors.
“Exposure to traffic-related pollution poses a serious health risk to those who live in communities with heavy truck traffic,” Harold Weimer, president of the American Lung Association, said in a statement Friday. “The combination of emissions has been linked to poorer birth outcomes, reduced lung and cognitive development, development and worsening of chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and increased risk of dementia, cancer and premature death.”
Weimer added that the American Lung Association. It is estimated that switching to zero-emission trucks and electricity could save nearly 67,000 lives by 2050.
The transition will be expensive. Currently, large electric excavators cost two to three times what a diesel truck costs — as much as $500,000. A recent trucking industry study concluded that transitioning to a 100% zero-emission truck fleet across the United States by 2050 would cost more than $1 trillion, including not just the trucks but thousands of new charging stations and the electrical system's capacity to power them. .
Proponents say rules that force technological change could lead to much lower costs as manufacturing expands.
“EPA's new heavy-duty vehicle standards represent a step toward reducing emissions and advancing the transition to zero-emission charging, providing a necessary signal to invest in charging infrastructure and support American manufacturing to meet 2030 climate goals,” said CEO John Bussell. From CALSTART, a clean transportation advocacy group.
“This regulation will stimulate investment and innovation which will lead to accelerated growth of the domestic zero-emission commercial vehicle industry. In the long term, this regulation will create and protect jobs, while making the air cleaner and healthier for everyone,” said Bussell.
Truck manufacturers praised the flexibility of the national rules.
“Ultimately, the successful transformation of the commercial vehicle industry depends on the availability of reliable, zero-emission charging and refueling infrastructure and the ability to do business at a reasonable cost of ownership,” said Sean Waters, CEO, Daimler Truck North America. . “We appreciate the regulation’s recognition of this fact and look forward to working with EPA as well as federal and state governments to achieve both.”
Jim Ward, president of the Truckload Carriers Assn., had a similar reaction: “The journey ahead offers many alternatives to consider for carbon reduction such as blended biodiesel, renewable natural gas, and electric diesel, to name a few. They have helped us bridge The gap towards the future.”
However, the industry will have to contend with the differences between California's zero-emissions states and looser federal rules — so a lot of political pressure and controversy lies ahead.
