US and Canada Partner on Transport Fuel Efficiency and Emissions Programs

15 September 2005

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) have signed of Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate and share information in research, development, and projects to save fuel and reduce emissions, maintain energy security, and improve air quality and public health.

The EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership is a voluntary program that emphasizes accelerated deployment of innovative technology by rail and heavy-duty fleets. NRCan’s FleetSmart is an educational and training-based program that focuses on fuel-efficient truck driver behavior.

The MoU essentially sets out a path for blending the two initiatives. Projects planned under the MOU include:

• Truck idling reduction projects at border crossings

• Technology deployment programs

• Truck driver training on fuel-efficient driving techniques

• Industry awareness campaigns (e.g. “quiet zone” idle-free campaigns at truck stops)

EPA and industry, including the fifteen SmartWay Transport Charter Partners, launched the SmartWay Transport Partnership program in February 2004. The goal of the program is to achieve annual reductions, by 2012, of 33 to 66 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions and up to 200,000 tons of NO_x emissions.

The fuel savings are the equivalent of taking 12 million cars off the road and saving up to 150 million barrels of fuel. At current price levels, reducing this amount of fuel would save transportation companies some US$19 billion annually.

There are currently more than 200 Partners voluntarily committed to improving their environmental footprint over a period of three years.

NRCan launched FleetSmart in 1999 from a small information initiative, Pro-Trucker. FleetSmart is a program designed to help commercial and municipal fleets reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions through improved energy efficient practices.

FleetSmart has demonstrated that the driver has a significant effect on fuel economy and reports up to 35% difference between the “best” and “worst” driver.

The program’s goals are to help fleets save money, reduce fuel use, reduce air pollution, reduce greenhouse gases, and support government policy initiatives in emission reduction.