The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted two new truck rules in December, 2008 that will
significantly reduce diesel fuel consumption and better protect public health and the environment. One
rule, a first-of-its-kind regulation addressing truck global warming pollution, will significantly reduce
heat-trapping emissions. The other rule, which addresses smog-forming and particulate pollution, will
markedly improve California air quality, saving thousands of lives over the next decade.
Truck Global Warming Rule:
Cutting pollution,
Saving on fuel consumption
CARB's rule aims to boost heavy-duty-truck fuel
efficiency to reduce their global warming
emissions. The rule targets the most common type
of truck on the highway: a 53-foot-long trailer
pulled by a large tractor. The rule would save 1
billion gallons of diesel fuel annually across the
country in 2020. The up-front cost of installing
fuel efficient technology on tractors and trailers
would be offset by reduced fuel costs over time.
The new rule requires both new trucks and those
already on the road to add aerodynamic features
and more fuel-efficient tires. Such improvements
will boost fuel-efficiency by 8 percent, according
to a recent UCS report, Delivering the Green.
Additionally, the regulation requires sleep-in cabs
in new tractors to meet Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) SmartWay specifications. The
SmartWay program is similar to the voluntary
EnergyStar program for consumer appliances, but
it focuses on tractors with sleep-in cabs.
SmartWay-certified tractors are typically 2 percent
more fuel-efficient than standard ones.
The new rule applies to new tractors and trailers
starting with the 2011 model year. Truck owners
will have to upgrade tractors model year
Continued
Smog and Particulate Rule:
Preventing thousands of deaths,
Saving California billions in health costs.
CARB's rule controlling smog-forming emissions
and particulate matter targets all diesel-fueled
heavy-duty trucks operating on California's roads,
including typical big-rig trucks and school buses.
The rule surpasses the EPA's emissions reductions
requirements.
Under the rule, most
vehicles will need a
diesel particulate filter
by 2014. Such filters
would cut particulate
matter more than 95
percent and reduce
emissions to levels
currently achieved by
today's new trucks.
CARB's rule phases in
between 2011 and
2023 and applies to any diesel truck heavier than
14,000 pounds traveling in the state. It also
requires school buses to be equipped with
particulate filters, which would better protect
young children.
Additionally, the rule targets smog-forming
emissions from trucks, which account for a third
of such pollution in the state. Truck owners will
Continued
California Diesel Truck Rules
New Opportunities to Improve Public Health,
Reduce Global Warming Pollution
CARB estimates
the rule would
prevent 9,400
premature deaths
and thousands of
hospitalizations for
heart and lung
disease associated
with poor air quality
over the next 15
years.
Page 2
Truck Global Warming Rule, continued:
2010 and older with more efficient tires by 2012,
and upgrade trailers model year 2010 and older by
2013. Under the rule, fleets will have the option to
phase in these upgrades over a six-year period.
UCS has identified three areas where CARB
could achieve additional global warming
pollution reductions from trucks:
• The rule's tire requirement applies only to van
trailers that are at least 53 feet long and the tractors
that pull them. UCS estimates these tractor-trailers
account for 60 percent of all tractor-trailer miles
driven in the state each year. That means that the
remaining 40 percent of all tractor-trailer miles,
driven by tractors that pull flat beds, tankers and
shorter trailers, could still benefit from tire
improvements.
• Additional reductions from new tractors and
trailers, which offer the greatest potential for
cutting pollution and fuel consumption, are
available. If CARB required a full set of
aerodynamic trailer features and tire upgrades for
new trucks, 30 percent more pollution could be
eliminated. These improvements would pay for
themselves over time and result in an estimated
$30,000 in net savings over the truck's first eight
years in service, the average time such a vehicle
would be used for long-distance trips.
•
Expanding requirements to cover straight trucks—
typical delivery trucks with permanently attached
tractors and trailers –would also increase overall
benefits.
Smog and Particulate Rule, continued:
have the next 15 years to comply by either
installing additional emissions controls or
upgrading to vehicles that meet EPA standards set
to take effect in model year 2010.
Both the San Joaquin
Valley and Los
Angeles metropolitan
area are relying on
this regulation to meet
federal air quality
standards. CARB
estimates the rule
would prevent 9,400
premature deaths and
thousands of hospitalizations for heart and lung
disease associated with poor air quality over the
next 15 years.
CARB estimates the new smog and particulate
rule will cost $5.5 billion over the next 15 years,
but it calculates that the benefits in reduced
hospitalizations, asthma attacks and other health
problems would be between $48 billion and $68
billion over the same period. Acknowledging that
some truck owners would need financial
assistance to meet the new standards, the state
plans to establish a loan program.
Updated 1/29/09
CARB estimates
the benefits in
reduced
hospitalizations,
asthma attacks and
other health
problems would be
between $48 billion
and $68 billion

 

What if you have a 52' trailer?