On Friday, March 29th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new heavy-duty emission standards. Starting with model year 2027 carriers, a percentage of heavy-duty vehicles will have to be zero-emission. By 2032, 30% of vocational heavy-duty carriers and 40% of short-distance day cabs must be zero-emission. Termed “Phase Three” by the EPA, delivery trucks, shuttles, transit, school buses, and tractors will fall into the rule. Phase three builds on phase two, released in 2016, which promotes cleaner trucks by developing advanced, cost-effective technologies. Similarly, phase three allows carriers flexibility when choosing technologies that directly reflect the requirements of their customers. The Announcement of the rule has received positive and negative feedback.
What Is The Purpose Of The New Rule?
These standards aim to set more stringent rules to reduce air pollution and combat climate change. Fossil fuels are the most significant contributor to greenhouse gasses, accounting for over 75% of all emissions. Since trucks move the majority of shipments in the U.S., domestic shipping accounts for nearly a third of carbon emissions. Trucks are less than 6% of the vehicles on the road but account for most on-road U.S. carbon emissions. The rule will promote cleaner air, especially for places with denser traffic and a high shipping volume. Nearly 72 million people in the U.S. reportedly live by freight routes that trucks use to transport cargo.
Over the next three decades, the standards could avoid up to one billion tons of greenhouse emissions. Another side effect is that trucking companies will save money on maintenance and fuel costs. Trucks usually spend long distances on the road for hours, meaning drivers must constantly refuel their carriers. Truckers reportedly pay between $50,000 to $70,000 on gas yearly, making it the most significant expense. Along with health benefits, the rule will reduce costs incurred from hospital visits from air pollution in the long run. The Biden Industry has also recently announced an EV truck charging plan to create charging stations across the U.S.
Carriers Against The New Heavy-Duty Emission Standards.
Although the new standards benefit the environment, several players in the trucking industry are against the rule. The most significant argument is that truckers believe the rule will impact customers, trucker expenses, and the industry. Prices to buy an electric truck can be over twice that of regular class 8 diesel trucks. For companies with large fleets, the costs of switching their vehicles to EVs will be significant. Another critique against the rule is that the post-2030 targets are unachievable. There are restrictions on zero-emission technology, such as a lack of power grids and infrastructure. The EV charging station plan is also set for completion in 2040, eight years after phase three.
Despite the critiques regarding the new rule, many believe this is a step in the right direction. Higher up-front costs will even out with lower fuel and maintenance costs in the long run. A cleaner trucking industry will be vital, with the global energy sector planning on becoming net zero by 2050. While the standards are years in the future, shippers still require domestic cargo movement, and we’re here to help. Contact A1 Freight Solutions at 786-375-9420 or info@a1wwl.com to learn how to start your shipment. We have a network of dependable carriers prepared to move your goods anywhere in the U.S.