USA tightens environmental standards for trucks
From 2027, they are supposed to regulate truck operating emissions and ensure clean heavy goods traffic. Will the industry have enough time and resources to prove measure sceptics wrong?
From 2027, trucks on European roads will be subject to stricter regulations - as part of the Euro7 emissions standard that comes into force in 2025. But the European Union and member states are not the only faces of global politics who want to make truck traffic more environmentally friendly. The United States has now also adopted new environmental standards for all new trucks registered in the country. It is the first time since 2001 that the exhausts of such large vehicles are regulated by law at the US federal level.
The new regulations, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are due to come into force in 2027 and are predicted to be "80 percent tougher than the current rules". The American authorities are thus aiming to have truck pollutant emissions - primarily of nitrogen oxides - reduced by 50 percent from current levels by 2045. Reduced values that the bill still wants to be guaranteed up to a mileage of 800,000 US miles (just under 1.3 million kilometres). Digital measuring devices are to help and monitor compliance with the values.
Similar to the EU, the environmental regulation in the USA has already caused a variety of reactions. The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), for example, criticises that the demands on the manufacturing industry to adapt all future new truck registrations to the new regulations are too great. In the eyes of the EPA, however, the standards do not go far enough. "The EMA missed an opportunity to really reduce emissions and smog and accelerate the transition to the cleanest vehicles," says Britt Carmon of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
The opposing criticisms, however, do not seem to shake the American agency. In this environment, the new bill is still considered "balanced" and thus a success with great climate potential. According to EPA calculations - and in view of the rapid technological development in the truck sector - manufacturers should have enough time until 2027 to be able to build engines with the required standards as standard.
The ball is now in the manufacturer's court to try to meet the future regulations before the new law becomes reality. Until then, the country will work on further measures to make 2027 a "model year" for greener road transport in the US. Among other things, new CO2 limits for trucks are planned, as well as new CO2 and emissions standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.