The Environmental Protection Agency announced proposed changes to a 2023 truck emission rule. Now, the agency needs feedback from truck drivers and other stakeholders.
In 2023, the EPA established new truck emission rules starting with model year 2027 vehicles. New trucks would have to meet nitrogen oxide, NOx, reduction standards 80% stricter than previous standards.
Some of the current rules include:
- Mandating engine deratements, or power down, to prompt fixing DEF issues
- Extending timeline to maintain compliance from 435,000 miles to 650,000 miles
- Extending emissions-related warranty from five years/100,000 miles to 10 years/450,000 miles
Trucking stakeholders opposed the new truck emission rules. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association leaders said the regs would drive small-business truck drivers out of the industry.
Right when model year 2027 trucks are being rolled out, the EPA is proposing several revisions to those rules:
- Replacing engine deratements with audible or visual warnings
- Compliance timeline reverted to 435,000 miles
- Warranties reverted to five years/100,000 miles
While the trucking industry largely welcomed the changes, truck drivers raised a few concerns.
To start, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association was dismayed to see that the EPA did not make any changes to the truck emission standards themselves. The Association was also disappointed by the significant scaling back of the warranties, which provide truck drivers with financial coverage for faulty technology.
“If EPA is unable to amend burdensome NOx emissions standards, we believe there are more productive solutions than drastically cutting extended warranty periods for small-business truckers at the behest of engine manufacturers and large fleets,” said Jay Grimes, OOIDA director of federal affairs. “The rule should ensure that truckers who purchase a new vehicle will not be constantly sidelined because of costly and repeated breakdowns that OOIDA members have historically experienced under new emissions regulations.”
Time to weigh in
Truck drivers have a chance to tell EPA what’s right and what’s wrong with the proposed changes to the truck emission rules.
A public comment period is now open through Aug. 29. To submit comments, go to Regulations.gov and enter docket number EPA-HQ-OAR-2026-0728 or click here.
In addition to a comment period, EPA will be hosting two public hearings. The first will be at 9 a.m. Eastern on July 29 followed by another at 10 a.m. on July 30.
Registration is required to either listen or testify. You can do so by emailing [email protected]. EPA will send a registration form, which must be submitted no later than July 22 for those wanting to testify. LL
Credit: Source link
