The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is tweaking its SmartWay program with an updated designation and new logos with which to label trucks and trailers. Now, equipment that meets the agency’s requirements for its reduced emissions components or performance will be tagged “SmartWay Designated” rather than “SmartWay Certified.” This is partly to distinguish trucks that go beyond meeting EPA regulatory Continue Reading

Yesterday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a third year of funding to promote the purchase of next-generation clean cars, trucks and off-road equipment. The program will offer up to $40 million to be distributed on a first-come first-served basis. Trucking companies in the state can receive vouchers to help support the addition of fuel-efficient hybrid and zero-emission trucks into Continue Reading

Navistar is once again suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because it is at odds with the selective catalytic reduction technology other engine manufacturers have been using to meet 2010 diesel exhaust emissions regulations. The OEM claims that the SCR technology can be easily circumvented, making it do little as a result to protect the environment. Named in the suit is EPA Director Lisa Jackson, who is being accused of not doing her duty to uphold the Clean Air Act and her agency of not doing its part to protect public health. Multiple Continue Reading

The California Air Resources Board granted fleet owners a reprieve, announcing on the date by which all tractor-trailers must have origingally submit phase-in compliance schedules that they were now given an extra 30 days. The new deadline by which owners of fleets of 21 or more trailers must notify CARB of their schedules to be fully compliant with the state’s greenhouse gas reduction regulation is Aug. 1. By opting in to Continue Reading

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expanded its SmartWay programs to include a dray-truck initiative to help clean up ports by targeting what are most often the most egregious offenders. Under the terms of the program, carriers commit to track and reduce particulate-matter and nitrogen oxides emissions over a three-year period. Furthermore, they will dedicate the newest or cleaner trucks in Continue Reading

Response to the California Air Resources Board’s Clean Vehicle Project has been such that the incentive program is nearly out of money. The rebates ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 for passenger cars, zero-emissions motorcycles and select commercial electric vehicles are doled out on a first-come, first-served basis, but the number of requests could deplete the agency’s coffers by July. Funding could be renewed at CARB’s July board hearing, but changes to the program are expected. Among CARB’s proposals are tripling the money it makes available for the program, but cutting the Continue Reading

Ontario’s more agressive attempts at curbing greenhouse gas emissions are getting mixed reaction from the province’s trucking association. The latest report from Gord Miller, the provincial environmental commissioner, proposes a controversial “road pricing strategy” that could include a cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax. The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is opposed to such measures, saying trucking would be unfairly targeted to provide a revenue source to support high-speed rail. The OTA does support Miller’s suggestions of incentives for the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles, and greater Continue Reading

The California Air Resources Board announced earlier this week the availability of $19 million to support hybrid vehicle technology to help reduce emissions in the state. The Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program will provide vouchers on a first-come first-served basis to help California fleets purchase fuel-efficient hybrid medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. At least $2 million is reserved for public fleets, but both public and private fleets can reserve vouchers when a new vehicle is purchased. For more information regarding the voucher incentive program that details a full list of eligible vehicles Continue Reading

In a move expected to boost eco-friendliness and jobs, Canadian officials announced a mandate that would require diesel to contain at least 2 percent biofuel content beginning July 1. Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent said such a rule would reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation. Both government officials and environmental lobby groups praised the measure as a means of creating new jobs, protecting valuable resources and Continue Reading

Transportation and innovation were two of the more significant industry topics from President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday evening. Specifically, the president continued to push the development of technologies to reduce emissions, break dependence on foreign oil and ramp up the use of electric vehicles, and, in his words, be the first country with 1 million such vehicles on the road by 2015. The pursuit of such technology not only will be eco-friendly, but create “countless” new jobs, he said. Additionally, rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure could Continue Reading