The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI) to further decrease NO_x emissions from on-highway heavy-duty trucks and engines. The CTI will include a future rulemaking that will update the existing NO_x standard which was last set in 2001 while also streamlining compliance and certification requirements.

This action follows petitions for a rulemaking on this issue from more than 20 organizations including state and local air agencies from across the country.

The EPA’s goal is to develop a program that could be adopted by EPA and the California Air Resources Board, creating a 50-state program, which would streamline compliance for manufacturers. In developing the proposal, EPA will work with a broad range of stakeholders, including heavy-duty vehicle and engine manufacturers; the California Air Resources Board; labor groups; technology suppliers; environmental non-governmental organizations; state and local air quality agencies; truck dealerships; trucking fleets; and truck drivers and owners.

The US has made major reductions in NO_x emissions, but it’s been nearly 20 years since EPA updated these standards. Through rulemaking and a comprehensive review of existing requirements, we will capitalize on these gains and incentivize new technologies to ensure our heavy-duty trucks are clean and remain a competitive method of transportation.

—Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler

From 2007 to 2017, US NO_x emissions dropped by more than 40%. It is estimated that heavy-duty trucks will be responsible for one-third of NO_x emissions from the transportation sector in 2025. EPA expects that any update to the standards will result in significant mobile source NO_x reductions, which will aid communities across the country in the attainment of ozone and particulate matter standards.

EPA last revised NO_x standards for on-highway heavy-duty trucks and engines in January 2001. The Agency is not required by statue to update the standard. EPA intends to publish a proposed rule in early 2020.

In addition to updating NO_x emissions standards, the CTI will cut unnecessary red tape while simplifying certification of compliance requirements for heavy-duty trucks and engines, according to the EPA.

Areas of deregulatory focus will include onboard diagnostic requirements, cost-effective means of reassuring real world compliance by using modern and advanced technologies, the deterioration factor testing process, and concerns regarding annual recertification of engine families.