In the United States, the EPA is looking into how it can further reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other harmful pollutants from diesel truck emissions. The agency is currently evaluating the feasibility of a 50-state program that would work to harmonize environmental standards across the country.
These strategies are part of President Trump’s Cleaner Trucks Initiative and input from stakeholders and the public is currently being sought after. While there have been major reductions in NOx emissions from the trucking industry in the past, there is still more work to do to ensure that the industry stays sustainable and ecologically viable in the years to come.
Steps to reduce NOx emissions made great progress in the industry after 2010. New technologies such as exhaust aftertreament, helped to reduce diesel engine emissions by a whopping 90%. The EPA now feels it is time to go even further.
Areas of improvement that have been identified by the EPA include engine warm up as well as truck idling periods and when technologies meant to reduce emissions begin to break down. The next phase of EPA efforts to reduce emissions will include these areas as well as an overhaul of the certification process. Complete details can be found in the EPA’s 97-page ANPRM.
Currently about half of all commercial trucks in the US are using the emissions technologies introduced after 2010.
After the ANPRM gets published into the Federal Register, the public, members of the trucking industry and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to make their comments and recommendations. They will have 30 days to do so.
The EPA intends to work closely with manufacturers to help them develop new and improved technologies which will help to further reduce the emissions from diesel engines as well as looking into other technologies such as battery-electric power, hybrid and fuel quality.
At Trux Solutions, we are fully supportive of measures that help the trucking industry reduce its emissions and become more environmentally responsible. If you have questions about how we can help you as an owner operator or fleet manager, contact us today.
