The trucking industry will get a little greener, thanks to an order signed by President Obama last week which will require boosting fuel efficiency in medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 2014. With the support of trucking manufacturers and industry executives, Obama signed the order Friday and declared that its effects would hold benefit for consumers, businesses and the environment by reducing the price of transporting goods and reducing pollution. This follows a national standard holding cars and light-duty trucks to meet more stringent emission levels. In a separate announcement, the Canadian Environmental Minister said Canada would also be setting emissions standards for heavy vehicles.

Flanked by truck manufacturers and trucking industry executives, President Obama signed a first-of-its-kind order Friday clearing the way for medium- and heavy-duty trucks to meet more stringent fuel-economy targets.

Under the order, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency are charged with collaborating on a rule setting limits on the fuel consumed and emissions produced by large commercial vehicles beginning with the 2014 model year.

“Today, we’re going even further, proposing the development of a national standard for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, just as we did for cars and light trucks,” Obama said during the Rose Garden ceremony. “This is the first time we’ll have such a standard.”

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