The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that beginning this month, many truck and trailer OEMs are offering customers 2007 models certified by EPA’s SmartWay program to improve fuel efficiency.
By meeting EPA equipment specifications, these models provide the benefit of saving operators money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, the agency explained.
"These new trucks will make an important contribution toward achieving EPA's goals for conserving energy and reducing emissions," said Bill Wehrum, EPA's Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "Truckers who buy this new equipment, and who are members of the EPA SmartWay program, will be able to proudly display a logo on their qualified big rigs."
EPA noted that SmartWay-approved equipment, like aerodynamic bumpers and mirrors on a tractor, can reduce fuel consumption 10% to 20%. Each qualified truck can produce savings from 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of diesel per year, which would result in a gain up to $11,000 annually.
Participating in the program are such truck makes including Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, and Volvo. EPA plans to set more ambitious performance targets for SmartWay-recognized tractor-trailer combinations in the future. EPA is also developing guidelines for recognizing other vehicles such as delivery vans, in which hybrid technology can dramatically improve fuel efficiency.
The SmartWay Transport Partnership was developed by EPA and the freight industry to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution and to promote cleaner, more efficient ground freight transportation.
For information about joining the SmartWay program, and for a complete list of the specifications for the 2007 SmartWay Tractor and 2007 SmartWay Trailer, go to: http://www.epa.gov/smartway
