Volpe teamed up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to assess the technical feasibility and cost of reducing medium- and heavy-duty truck fuel consumption. Volpe staff conducted research on improving vehicle fuel economy, analyzing emerging technologies and alternative fuel sources, and modeling emissions to establish fuel consumption standards.

The Challenge

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 required NHTSA to establish medium- and heavy-duty truck fuel consumption standards. Prior to this, there were no U.S. fuel consumption standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, which in 2009 accounted for approximately 26 percent of the transportation fuel used in the United States.  

The Solution

Volpe conducted industry research to inform technical analysis and policy decisions on fuel consumption standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Volpe’s team also analyzed emerging technologies, evaluated costs, and assessed different compliance testing approaches for reducing fuel consumption.

To help reduce fuel consumption and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, Volpe also assisted NHTSA in coordinating with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a corresponding greenhouse gas regulation for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

The Impact

Phase I of the heavy truck regulation was published in 2011. As a result of this regulation, NHTSA estimates that truck owners and operators will save money in avoided fuel purchases. In addition, the regulation is projected to save 530 million barrels of oil and reduce 270 million metric tons of GHG emissions during the life of the vehicles sold during the 2014 through 2018 model years, which will improve the sustainability of freight transport in the U.S.