Canada developing regulations to limit fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from new on-road heavy-duty vehicles
20 August 2011
Environment Canada recently released a consultation paper on the development of proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new on-road heavy-duty vehicles. Canada and the United States are taking a common North American approach and Canada intends to implement regulations with the 2014 model year in alignment with the United States.
The US announced first-ever fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles earlier in August. (Earlier post.)
The proposed Canadian regulations will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the whole range of new on-road heavy-duty vehicles from full-size pick-up trucks to combination tractors and buses as well as a wide variety of vocational vehicles. This will effectively include all on-road vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 3,856 kg (8,500 pounds), except those vehicles that are subject to the Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations (e.g. medium-duty passenger vehicles up to 4,536 kg).
he proposed regulations would set greenhouse gas emission standards aligned with those of the final United States national program. The standards would be expressed as the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions emitted per unit of work delivered.
The consultation paper is intended to provide another opportunity for interested parties to submit early comments prior to publishing proposed regulations in Canada Gazette Part I. Proposed regulations are targeted for publication in Canada Gazette Part I early in 2012 for a 60-day comment period.
The proposed regulations would seek to reduce emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of the whole range of new on-road heavy-duty vehicles from full-size pick-up trucks to tractor-trailers, and include a wide variety of vocational vehicles such as freight, delivery, service, cement, garbage and dump trucks, as well as buses. The proposed regulations would also seek to promote the implementation of advanced technology vehicles such as hybrid and electric vehicles.
Reducing emissions in the transportation sector is a key component in the Government’s plan to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020. In addition to the proposed heavy-duty regulations, the Government has also finalized regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles and mandated a requirement for an average of five percent renewable content in gasoline, and two percent content for diesel and heating oil.
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This is equivalent to the new Japan regulations divided by 3. Manufacturers, crude producers and refiners-distributors will like it and will not lower their contributions.
Posted by: HarveyD | 20 August 2011 at 11:49 AM
HD, "This is equivalent to the new Japan regulations divided by 3."? - meaning 1/3 the emissions.
Posted by: kelly | 20 August 2011 at 12:50 PM
I am not convinced that 'every little bit helps' (we are too far gone for that) - but this 'little bit' will certainly do very little 'to help'. The money and time being wasted on this evolutionary step would be better invested in more revolutionary technology implementation. Punish not those who drive guzzlers, but reward those who develop and drive efficient new tech. More carrots and less sticks push innovation and uptake.
Posted by: Jer | 21 August 2011 at 12:06 AM
Sorry kelly, but Harvey and I know Harper too well. "equivalent to the new Japan regulations divided by 3" means 1/3 of the reductions in emissions.
Posted by: ai_vin | 21 August 2011 at 09:52 AM
ai-vin got it right.
Posted by: HarveyD | 22 August 2011 at 08:01 AM