Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/725427
commercial carrier journal | september 2016 13 JOURNAL NEWS EPA, DOT finalize next set of tractor-trailer emissions standards T he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Transportation last month issued the final draft of the next round of emis- sions and fuel economy standards for U.S. heavy-duty trucks, calling for a 25 percent reduction in certain greenhouse gases by 2027 when compared to 2018 model-year equipment. EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration first proposed their Phase 2 emissions standards last year, and last month's rule finalized their joint proposal. By model year 2027 – when the Phase 2 standards are implemented in full – tractors in a tractor-trailer combination must achieve up to 25 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption than an equivalent tractor in 2018. The final Phase 2 standards immedi- ately follow Phase 1 greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards that won't be fully implemented until next year. EPA said in its 1,690-page document published Aug. 16 that it expects the final standards to lower CO2 emissions by about 1.1 billion metric tons and save vehicle owners about $170 billion in fuel costs while reducing oil consumption by up to 2 billion barrels over the lifetime of the vehicles sold under the program. However, to hit those marks, the agen- cies are asking for better performance from North American truck and engine makers and for those companies to test the imaginations of their engineers. For diesel tractor engines, the agencies are adopting standards for model year 2027 that are more stringent than the preferred alternative from the original proposal. The tighter standards will require reductions in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption that are 5.1 per- cent better than the 2017 baseline for a tractor's engine. The agencies also are adopting standards for model years 2021 and 2024, requiring reductions in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of 1.8 to 4.2 percent better than the 2017 baseline tractor engines. – Jason Cannon FMCSA issues e-cig safety alert to industry T he Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration last month issued a safety advisory to owners and operators of commercial motor vehicles concern- ing the transportation risks associated with the use of battery-powered por- table electronic smoking devices such as e-cigarettes, e-pipes, e-hookahs, per- sonal vaporizers and electronic nicotine delivery systems. The agency cited recent incidents where use of such devices has resulted in explosions, injuries and fires. The explosions regularly involved the ejec- tion of a burning battery case or other components from the device, which subsequently ignited nearby flammable or combustible materials. The U.S. Fire Administration esti- mated there were 25 of these incidents between 2009 and August 2014, but FMCSA said news sources have placed the number at more than 150 explosions that have occurred mostly while the e-cigarettes were charging, being used or simply being carried. The agency noted that the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations currently do not specifi- cally address the potential safety risks posed by battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices. However, motor carriers and drivers were asked to be cognizant of the risks associated with the devices and exercise good judgment and appropriate discretion in their pos- session, storage and charging or use on, around or while operating a CMV. FMCSA also asked carriers and drivers to adhere to federal smoking prohibi- tions on, near or when loading and unloading a motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials. – CCJ Staff FMCSA cited recent incidents where use of battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices has resulted in explo- sions, injuries and fires. EPA expects the final standards to lower CO2 emissions by about 1.1 billion metric tons and save vehicle owners about $170 billion in fuel costs.