5 Ways Heavy-Duty Fuel Economy is Changing
By Samantha Oller on Aug. 16, 2016WASHINGTON -- Big rigs are about to get a lot more fuel efficient.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced finalized fuel-efficiency and greenhouse-gas-emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles this week. The standards, which would apply to model years 2021 to 2027 for semitrailers, large pickups, vans, buses and work trucks, build upon a previous phase of standards already enacted for model years 2014 to 2018.
This second phase of standards will reduce oil consumption by an estimated 2 billion barrels for the vehicles sold within the program, for $170 billion in fuel savings. In fact, the agencies estimate that a buyer of a long-haul, model-year 2027 truck would get a return on investment on the technology in less than two years because of the fuel savings.
Following are the fuel-consumption cuts for each of the impacted vehicle types, as well as the technology that could help manufacturers get there.
Tractors
About 60% of fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions in the heavy-duty vehicle sector come from Class 7 and 8 combination tractors and engines. The new, fully phased-in standards will trim fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25% compared to an equivalent 2018 tractor.
The fuel and emission standards will begin with model-year 2021 and ratchet up over the next six years to phase in by 2027. They will vary by vehicle weight class, roof height and cab type. How will manufacturers get there? EPA and NHTSA point to technology improvements in the engine, transmission and driveline, as well as more aerodynamic designs and lower rolling-resistance tires.
Trailers
The Phase 2 program also introduces standards for trailers of heavy-duty combination tractors, beginning in model-year 2018 and applicable to box vans, flatbeds, tankers and container chassis. Once they fully phase in for the 2027 model year, the standards should cut fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions up to 9% vs. the average 2017 model-year trailer, through improvements such as reduced weight, lower-rolling-resistance tires and improved aerodynamics.
Heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans
About 23% of sector fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions come from heavy- and medium-duty pickup trucks and vans. The standards will jump in intensity by 2.5% per year from model years 2021 to 2027, ending with a 16% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared to Phase 1 standards. To get here, the government expects manufacturers to tap into newer technologies such as engine stop-start and powertrain hybridization.
Vocational vehicles
The many trucks and buses included in the “vocational vehicle” sector include delivery, garbage and public utility trucks; transit, shuttle and school buses; emergency vehicles; and dump and cement trucks. Combined, they are responsible for about 17% of sector fuel consumption.
The Phase 2 standards will start with model year 2021, increase in model-year 2024 and then phase fully in for 2027. Once complete, the standards would cut fuel consumption and emissions by up to 24%, compared to Phase 1. Some applicable technologies here: engine, transmission and driveline improvements, idle reduction, weight reduction and hybrid technology.
Engines
EPA and NHTSA are implementing separate standards for tractor and vocational diesel and gasoline engines. Diesel engines standards will begin with model-year 2021, and should reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 5% for tractors and up to 4% for vocational engines when compared to Phase 1. Manufacturers may use technologies such as combustion optimization, improved air handling and waste-heat recovery.
For the final standards and more information, click here.