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US EPA publishes proposes more stringent emissions standards for heavy duty vehicles

On April 12, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal for more stringent standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty (HD) vehicles beginning in model year 2027. The new standards would be applicable to HD vocational vehicles (such as delivery trucks, refuse haulers, public utility trucks, transit, shuttle, school buses, etc.) and tractors (such as day cabs and sleeper cabs on tractor-trailer trucks).

Specifically, EPA is proposing stronger CO2 standards for model year 2027 HD vehicles that go beyond the current standards that apply under the HD Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas program. EPA is also is proposing an additional set of CO2 standards for HD vehicles that would begin to apply in model year 2028, with progressively lower standards each model year through 2032. This proposed “Phase 3” greenhouse gas program maintains the flexible structure created in EPA’s Phase 2 greenhouse gas program, which is designed to reflect the diverse nature of the heavy-duty industry.

As part of this action, EPA also is proposing to revise its regulations addressing preemption of state regulation of locomotives.

Related Information

Comment and Public Hearing Information

To view documents supporting this proposed rulemaking as well as comments submitted, please visit regulations.gov and access the rule under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0985.

EPA plans to hold a virtual public hearing for this proposed rule, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles-Phase 3.

The hearing is scheduled to occur on May 2 and 3, 2023. An additional session may be held on May 4, if necessary to accommodate the number of testifiers that sign up to testify. Please check this web page for updates about the dates and times of the hearings.

Pre-registration is now open.

Registration will be open through the last day of the hearing, however, EPA asks that you pre-register by April 26 if you intend to testify or are requesting special accommodations. To the extent possible, EPA will work to accommodate late requests. All attendees (including those who will not be presenting verbal testimony) must register. Please submit a separate registration form for each person attending the hearing. More information on how to join the hearing will be sent to the email address that you provide for registration.

To register, please send an email to [email protected]. Additional information can be found in the Federal Register notice for the hearing (see below).

Public Hearing Notice for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3 (pdf) (181 KB, published April 17, 2023)