Phase 3 of Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles Comes into Effect
These new standards will impact manufacturers, sellers, and importers of heavy-duty vehicles in the U.S. and aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60 percent by 2032.
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) third phase of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for heavy-duty vehicles comes into effect today, June 21, 2024. It will affect companies that manufacture, sell, or import new heavy-duty highway vehicles and engines into the United States.
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Standards will start with the 2032 model year (MY), with a phase-in beginning in 2027 for some vehicle types to help manufacturers transition smoothly. The EPA has also added new warranty requirements for batteries and components in zero-emission vehicles and mandated battery health monitors for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.
On Monday, the U.S. Federal Register issued a correction to the final rule, but it does not include any fundamental changes.
On March 29, 2024, the EPA announced a final rule, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3,” which sets stricter standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.
These stringent new standards are applicable to a wide range of heavy-duty vehicles, including vocational vehicles (such as delivery trucks, refuse haulers, public utility trucks, transit and shuttle buses, school buses, etc.) and tractors (including day cabs and sleeper cabs on tractor-trailer trucks).
Building on the EPA’s Heavy-Duty Phase 2 program from 2016, Phase 3 standards maintain a flexible, technology-neutral, and performance-based approach, allowing manufacturers to choose the best emissions control technologies for their vehicles and customers’ needs.
The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of the total. Heavy-duty vehicles are the second largest contributors to GHG emissions.
The new standards are crucial for reducing emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, which, despite comprising only 10 percent of vehicles on U.S. roads, contribute over a quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions from all on-road vehicles.
The EPA estimates that around 72 million people live within 200 meters of a trucking route, exposing them to higher air pollution. Reducing emissions from commercial trucks will significantly improve air quality and help lower overall greenhouse gas emissions.
The finalized standards are expected to:
The new GHG emission standards will significantly impact the import of heavy-duty vehicles into the United States. Importers must ensure that any heavy-duty vehicles and engines brought into the country comply with the new standards starting with the 2027 model year.
This will likely necessitate adjustments in manufacturing processes and the adoption of advanced emissions control technologies to meet the new requirements.
Manufacturers and importers will also need to adhere to the new warranty requirements for batteries and other components in zero-emission vehicles and ensure that battery health monitors are included in plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.
If you import heavy-duty vehicles into the U.S., please get in touch with one of our trade professionals to discuss how these new standards will affect your business.