Regulations for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Commercial Trucks & Buses
Overview
Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards
On March 28, 2022, EPA published a proposed rule that would set new, more stringent standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. The proposed standards would significantly reduce emissions of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines and set more stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for certain commercial vehicle categories. This proposal is consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order, “Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks” and would ensure the heavy-duty vehicles and engines that drive American commerce are as clean as possible while charting a path to advance zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty fleet.
The proposal also includes amendments regarding the confidentiality of certain information submitted to EPA for engines, vehicles, and equipment subject to emission standards and other requirements under the CAA. In addition, the proposal includes other limited amendments to the regulations that implement our air pollutant emission standards for other sectors (e.g., light-duty vehicles, marine diesel engines, locomotives, various types of nonroad engines, vehicles, and equipment).
Clean Trucks Plan
On August 5, 2021, EPA announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other harmful air pollutants from heavy-duty trucks through a series of rulemakings over the next three years. The first rulemaking of this Clean Trucks Plan, set out in a proposal published on March 28, 2022 (see above), focuses on reducing criteria pollutant emissions and would apply to heavy-duty vehicles beginning in 2027. EPA is also developing two other commercial vehicle actions following President Biden’s Executive Order. The first will focus on light- and medium-duty vehicles and will address multi-pollutant emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions, for model year 2027 and later commercial pickup trucks and vans. The second will focus on greenhouse gas emissions for model year 2030 and later heavy-duty engines and vehicles. These two upcoming commercial vehicle rulemakings will provide an opportunity for EPA to fully consider how zero-emission vehicle technologies should be incorporated into the regulatory framework over the long term.
Improvements for Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Test Procedures, and other Technical Amendments
Final Rule: Improvements for Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Test Procedures
Background
Phase 1 GHG Rule for model years 2014-2018: In September 2011, in response to a Presidential Memorandum issued in May 2010, EPA in coordination with NHSTA issued greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards for medium and heavy duty trucks manufactured in model years 2014-2018.
Phase 2 GHG Rule for model years 2019-2027: In October 2016, EPA and NHTSA jointly finalized Phase 2 standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles through model year 2027 that will improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution to reduce the impacts of climate change, while bolstering energy security and spurring manufacturing innovation.
List of Related Regulations
Below is a list of all regulations related to GHG emissions from commercial trucks and buses.
- Rule summaries;
- Regulatory impact analyses;
- Comment summaries;
- Rule histories; and
- Fact sheets.*
*Note: Rule-related materials vary by rule.