The Volvo Group reiterated its commitment to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Phase II of the national program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of medium and heavy duty trucks and buses. The release of the proposed regulation is the start of the formal rulemaking process.
”Environmental care is a core value for the Volvo Group, and we are aligned with the federal government’s goal to reduce GHG emissions from heavy duty trucks,” says Susan Alt, senior vice president – public affairs for Volvo Group North America. ”While we will need to spend time thoroughly reviewing the details, we appreciate EPA’s and NHTSA’s outreach to the industry.”
In principle, the Volvo Group maintains that a separate engine standard is inconsistent with the Group’s interest in minimizing the complete, real world environmental impacts of its products. A separate engine standard is at odds with the reduction of NOx, due to the natural trade-off between NOx and CO2 emissions from the engine. It also limits manufacturers’ flexibility to meet the regulated targets for each individual customer in a way that suits their specific needs, and it incentivizes optimization for engine test cell requirements versus real world efficiencies.
The Volvo Group supports ambitious goals to reduce GHG emissions and fuel consumption for the complete vehicle, including engine efficiency, while providing overall value to its customers. The Group will prepare comprehensive comments to the rule within the allotted timeframe, and is committed to working with EPA and NHTSA to ensure that the Phase II program is good for both the environment and its customers.
