The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced it would be revisiting phase 2 of its greenhouse gas- and fuel-efficiency rules for medium- and heavy-duty on-highway trucks and engines.
The EPA finalized rules the second phase rules in October.
Phase 1 was implemented in 2014. It addressed fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for model years 2014-2018.
Phase 2 was intended to set the same standards for model years 2021-2027 and to establish regulations for trailers and gliders. Compliance deadlines were set to begin next year.
Stakeholders in the trailer and glider industry expressed concern over phase 2, the EPA said.
Several industry organizations are opposed to the rules being reopened.
“We had worked closely with EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on phase 2 to continue building on that success, but by reopening the rule to reexamine trailers and glider kits, EPA has opened the door to California taking the lead, and a more aggressive track, in setting trailer standards,” American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said.
The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association also expressed similar concerns. Not implementing phase 2 would lead to requirements across the country, the association said. California already is developing its own standards, the association said.