The nation’s first standards in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving fuel efficiency in buses and heavy-duty trucks has been handed down by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. The new standards are expected to reduce GHG emissions by up to 250 million metric tons and save an estimated 500 million barrels of oil over the lives of the vehicles produced within the first five years of the program. For vocational vehicles, the agencies propose engine and vehicle standards starting in the 2014 model year. The changes would achieve up to a 10-percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by the 2018 model year. The EPA and DOT are offering a 60-day comment period on the issue. Instructions on how to submit comments can be found at www.epa.gov or www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy.
