MEMA supports harmonizing California, federal air standards

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The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) recently submitted comments to the California Air Resources Board in support of a proposal to harmonizes the state’s emission standards with those of the federal government.

The proposal is entitled the “California Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles and Proposed Amendments to the Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Regulation Proposed Rule (Phase 2).”

Harmonization would provide regulatory certainty, ensure suppliers make the appropriate technology investments, and allow manufacturers to continue building vehicles and engines for the entire U.S. market.

“The Phase 2 emission standards – built on the Phase 1 foundation – enabled suppliers to continue their investments in innovation, research and development, and to manufacture and offer a range of technologies the vehicle manufacturers (a.k.a. OEMs) can utilize to address the standards’ longer-term targets,” MEMA said. “As such, MEMA supports the CARB proposal to adopt new, more stringent California Phase 2 GHG emissions standards that align California’s GHG emission standards and test procedures with the federal Phase 2 GHG regulations in structure, timing, and stringency.”

Commercial-vehicle suppliers are represented by MEMA through the Heavy-Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA). HDMA’s members represent 60 percent of the heavy-duty commercial- vehicle components manufactured for the U.S. market.