In a move aimed at reducing fuel costs, reducing reliance on foreign oil, and cutting green house gas emissions, on August 8 the Obama administration launched the Heavy-Duty National Program as part of the overall plan for a new generation of clean vehicles. The H-D program will establish the first-ever fuel efficiency and carbon pollution standards for semi-trailers, work trucks, buses, and other heavy duty vehicles. These vehicle fleets currently consume 20 percent of all on-road transportation fuel used each year, but have never been subject to federal fuel efficiency or carbon pollution standards.

The H-D program follows quickly on the heels of the recently announced program for passenger cars and light trucks. According to the EPA press release for the H-D proram:

• By the 2018 model year the big semi-trucks will be required to achieve up to approximately 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, saving up to 4 gallons of fuel for every 100 miles traveled.
• Heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans will be required to achieve up to approximately 15 percent reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by model year 2018. A typical gasoline or diesel powered heavy-duty pickup truck or van could save one gallon of fuel for every 100 miles traveled.
• By model year 2018 vocational vehicles – including delivery trucks, buses, and garbage trucks – will be required to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10 percent. These trucks could save an average of one gallon of fuel for every 100 miles traveled.

More information is available here.