The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday unveiled its new CO2-emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks, covering model years 2027 through 2032, with a final rule.
The new emissions standards laid out in the final rule are somewhat more ambitious than those proposed last year. For example, truck manufacturers are afforded more time (2027-2030) before CO2 reductions begin to apply to sleeper-cab tractors, yet on the flipside, stronger CO2 reductions targets are set for 2031 and 2032.
The EPA rule does not specify any particular emissions solution for truck makers in its rules, maintaining its promise of a "technology-neutral" approach. However, it will be difficult for manufacturers to hit emissions benchmarks without sales of either hybrid, battery-electric or hydrogen-electric trucks, many watchers believe.
Notably, in the final rule, EPA charts two different potential technology paths for manufacturers to get there -- a big part of the consternation among trucking interests about the new standards, given one of those projections shows ZEV-sales percentages equal to those in the table above charting CO2 reductions. To wit, that projection is for 25% of sleeper trucks sold as zero-emissions vehicles in 2032.
Both the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the American Trucking Associations were quick to note their belief that the targets are simply unachievable.
