The Obama administration released finalized fuel efficiency standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks that require up to a 25% reduction in carbon emissions for big tractor-trailers over the next 10 years, and smaller improvements for delivery trucks, school buses and other large vehicles. This is the latest of the administration’s many regulations to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Although these vehicles make up just 5 percent of road traffic, they account for 20 percent of transportation-related carbon emissions. The standards, which will be in effect through 2027, have the support of the majority of the trucking industry.
The regulation also requires manufacturers to use lighter-weight materials and more aerodynamic designs to improve tractor-trailers’ fuel economy. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy is investing nearly $140 million to improve vehicle efficiency, including projects to develop the next generation of fuel-efficient truck technologies.