Meeting Regulatory Mandates

Emission controls and regulations are critical to the efforts to reduce air pollution and related environmental and health problems. Countries around the world, including the U.S., are tightening standards for emissions, specifically diesel emissions. 1 For example:

• The U.S. EPA has proposed measures to reduce diesel emissions from off-road vehicles such as bulldozers and tractors by as much as 95%. 1

• Similar standards will go into effect for heavy-duty trucks and buses in the U.S. in 2007.

• By 2010, EPA’s existing programs are scheduled to reduce mobile source air toxins by over one million tons from 1996 levels. These emissions standards extend to highway vehicles and nonroad equipment.

States are also issuing their own tough mandates. In California, Governor Schwarzenegger’s Administration seeks a 50% reduction in air pollution by 2010. CARB plans to submit four key South Coast AQMD fleet rules for adoption as state regulations, with an accelerated timetable that requires compliance by 2007. These fleet rules are expected to control diesel emissions, and call for a reduction in toxic exposure for 42% of California’s population, including low-income and minorities who live near freeways, rail yards and other highly polluted corridors in Southern California. The rules will effect transit buses, refuse trucks, school buses and street sweepers — in other words, vehicles powered by diesel engines.

Fleets face significant challenges in meeting these and other rules if they continue to rely solely on diesel engines. That is why increasing numbers of fleets and members of the transportation sector are exploring and implementing alternative fueling solutions.

1. “Can Diesel Engines Survive Move to Stricter Emissions Standards?” New Study to Explore Impact of Tightening Regulations on Trucks, Buses, and Off-Road Vehicles in Europe, Japan and the U.S., March 3, 2003.

top