trucks

U.S. says that large trucks must reduce emissions as much as 20% by 2018

The Obama administration recently submitted a proposal for the first ever fuel efficiency and emissions standards for big tractor trailers and other commercial trucks. The regulation, which is expected to be finalized in mid-2011, covers new trucks for model years 2014 to 2018.

This initiative, which is led by the Transportation Department and Environmental Protection Agency, includes a variety of vehicles from delivery vans to long-haul rigs.

It is expected to cut almost 250 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the lifespans of vehicles built within the program's first five years. These standards are anticipated to save 500 million barrels of oil for vehicles made during these model years.