Trucking Regulations - Emissions
U.S. Regulations
Below is a listing of emissions-specific regulations that are approved or pending, as well as their potential impact on the market.
| Regulation | Status |
|---|---|
| U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization (DOT, DOE, EPA, HUD) | In January 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration released the US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. The blueprint outlines a “whole-of-government” approach for transforming the transportation section, with the aim of eliminating GHG emissions by 2050. It highlights US participation in Global M-HD MOU, which has a target of 100% new M-HD ZEV sales by 2040, with an interim target of 30% by 2030. The blueprint acknowledges the challenges present and includes investment in infrastructure and vehicle technology R&D to make the transition to ZEVs possible in the M-HD transportation sector. |
| GHG-3 (EPA) | The EPA’s GHG emissions standards and the NHTSA's fuel efficiency standards have become steadily more stringent over the years and will continue to do so through MY 2032+ per EPA’s GHG Phase 2 and GHG Phase 3 standards. The EPA published the final rule for GHG Phase 3 on March 29, 2024. The final rule includes, among other items: • an update to MY 2027 GHG Phase 2 standards and new GHG emissions standards starting MY 2028 through 2032+ (see below); and • updates to the averaging, banking, trading (ABT) credit program that includes allowing for trading across averaging sets. The EPA assumes a mix of powertrains, transmission technologies, aerodynamic packages, engine technologies, etc. will be required to meet the newly proposed standards. In fact, the EPA provided to examplevs of potential compliance. One assumes compliance with only ZEVs and diesel ICE, and the other assumes no ZEVs rather diesel ICE, HEVs, natural gas, and H2-ICE. The following tables show the new Phase 3 standards (CO2 g/ton-mi) and the EPA-provided examples of possible compliance pathways: |
| Regulations | Status |
|---|---|
| Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards | As part of the Clean Trucks Plan, on December 20, 2022, the EPA posted a final rule, “Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards,” that set NOx and PM emissions reduction standards (the “EPA Low NOx Rule”). The EPA Low NOx Rule sets more stringent NOx and PM standards for MY 2027+ heavy-duty engines. The EPA’s rule will require a NOx reduction of more than 80%. The charts show the EPA’s MY 2027 NOx standards, emissions-related warranty periods, and useful life periods for heavy HD engines. |
| Regulation | Status |
|---|---|
| Notice of Waivers for CA's HD Program (EPA) | CARB requested waivers of preemption for1) HD emission warranty regulations; 2) ACT regulations, and 3) HD Omnibus Low-NOx regulations. In April 2023, EPA granted waivers for HD emission warranty regulations and the ACT regulation. However, CARB requested EPA hold off on a decision for HD Omnibus (see next section for "CARB Omnibus Low NOx Rule"). In Nov. 2023, CARB requested a waiver determination for the ACF regulation, which is currently pending response from the EPA. In July 2024, CARB requested that the EPA return to consideration of HD Omnibus |