The Diesel Technology Forum issued a statement Monday following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI).
This initiative will include a future rulemaking to establish updated standards, which address nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from highway heavy-duty trucks and engines.
“With the release of the ANPRM, the Cleaner Trucks Initiative moves forward in setting the vision for the heavy-duty diesel engines of the future as high-value assets which help achieve our nation’s future energy and clean air goals while also expanding economic growth. Today’s action follows support for a new low NOx standard from truck and engine makers and petitions for rulemaking from a number of state and local air agencies,” the Diesel Tech Forum states.
“Diesel has always been a technology of continuous improvement and this initiative sets the pace for the next generation of advanced diesel technology. Along with achieving greater fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions, expectations are high that the future of long-haul commercial trucking will have an even more compelling choice in the next generation of diesel technology.
“The trucking industry continues to invest in the newest generation of advanced diesel technology in record numbers, sending a strong statement about its commitment to diesel power, even among a growing list of alternatives. As a result, today in the U.S. more than 43 percent of all registered operating diesel-powered commercial vehicles are of the newest generation of technology developed to meet the most recent tailpipe emissions standard established by EPA for 2011 and newer model years. This is up from 36 percent in 2018, as confirmed by the Diesel Technology Forum’s recent analysis of 2018 U.S. vehicles in operation data (GVW 3-8) provided by IHS Markit.”
Diesel Technology Forum goes on to note as new trucks take to American roads, they rack up significant societal benefits.
“Today, the more than 4.5 million new-generation diesel trucks on the road have avoided more than 18 million tonnes of NOx emissions compared to previous generations of technology.
“Between 2010 and 2030, more fuel-efficient commercial vehicles are expected to eliminate 1.3 billion tonnes of C02 emissions. This C02 reduction is equivalent to taking all cars off the road for a year. Through the CTI, we can expect diesel technology to further drive down NOx emissions while also delivering these significant climate benefits.”
The statement went on to discuss how the CTI will positively impact the world in the coming years.
“Whatever form the future takes, we can be 110 percent sure that diesel engines will be a central part of it. Near zero emissions, suitability for hybridization and electrification and the ability to utilize more advanced renewable biofuels are all key features of advanced diesel technology today and will only grow in importance for tomorrow,” the forum states.
