EDF Supports President Obama's Call for Improved Fuel Economy, Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for New Freight Trucks

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Keith Gaby, 202-572-3336, kgaby@edf.org
Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org 

(Washington, D.C. — February 18, 2014) President Obama will chart a bold path forward for our nation to adopt a second generation of fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for America’s heavy-duty trucks today.

The new standards will improve on the progress America has already made through greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards, the first round of which were adopted jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“We applaud President Obama’s vision for a new generation of cleaner freight trucks based on advanced technologies. A new generation of more efficient diesel freight trucks will cut climate pollution, reduce our oil consumption, and provide considerable fuel cost savings for America’s businesses and families,” said Vickie Patton, EDF General Counsel.

Representatives from the nation’s leading engine and trailer manufacturers and fleets are expected to join the President today in affirming a commitment to bold policy action.   

“The cleaner cars and freight trucks that are being made in America today show that when our nation works together we can achieve lasting progress for our economy and our environment,” said Patton. “Environmental Defense Fund stands ready today to work with President Obama, freight truck and trailer manufacturers, and fleet owners on smart policies to advance the cleaner diesel freight trucks of tomorrow.” 

Climate pollution from our nation’s long and short-haul freight trucks is projected to increase by more than 130 million tons between now and 2040–the largest increase in carbon dioxide emissions from any single end-use, according to the Energy Information Administration. By deploying smart, made-in-America solutions, however, we can reduce this pollution and strengthen our global competitiveness.  

A recent report by the Consumer Federation of America found that rigorous truck fuel efficiency standards could lower fuel consumption by almost 50 percent and yield a net household savings to consumers of more than $250 per year, rising to more than $400 per year by 2035.

Many companies already have developed and are bringing to market the solutions our nation needs to meet strong standards.

For example:

• Truck engine builder Cummins Inc. and truck manufacturer, Peterbilt Motors Co. partnered last year to build a truck that “averaged 9.9 miles a gallon in road tests last fall.” They did this through a suite of improvements, including capturing otherwise wasted thermal energy.  
• Smart Truck Systems, a supplier of aerodynamic products to the trucking industry, has a product that can cut fuel consumption from tractor-trailer combination trucks by more than 10 percent through advanced aerodynamics.

America also has the technology to power delivery trucks by advanced hybrid or fully electric systems.