WASHINGTON, DC – The Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule here today that addresses emissions standards for heavy-duty commercial vehicle engines beginning with the model year 2027.
In a release accompanying the final rule, EPA stated, “These standards will result in widespread air quality improvements across the U.S., especially in areas already overburdened by air pollution and diesel emissions.”
“The motorcoach industry will be pleased to learn that the EPA established a more generous derate schedule solely for the motorcoach industry,” said UMA President and CEO Scott Michael.
Thanks to an advocacy effort initiated and spearheaded by Phil Streif of Vandalia Bus Lines, EPA specifically addressed the concerns of the motorcoach industry in their new rule. Streif is the son of UMA Board of Directors Member, Dennis Streif. He discussed this issue on our April 28 UMA Town Hall. Click here to watch the recording of this and the May 5 UMA Town Hall with an EPA representative.
EPA’s new rule noted:
“Motorcoach operators submitted comments describing a greater sensitivity to any speed derate because of much greater responsibility for carrying people safely to their intended destinations over longer distances, including their role in emergency response and national defense operations. After consideration of these comments, we are allowing manufacturers to design and produce engines that will be installed in motorcoaches with an alternative derate schedule that starts with a 65 mi/hr derate when a fault condition is first detected, steps down to 50 mi/hr after 80 hours, and concludes with a final derate speed of 25 mi/hr after 180 hours of non-idle operation. EPA is defining motorcoaches in 40 CFR 1036.801 to include buses that are designed to travel long distances with row seating for at least 30 passengers. This is intended to include charter services available to the general public.”
This new derate schedule is more favorable than the schedule proposed for trucks and other commercial vehicles, and industry leaders praised the hard work of Phil Streif and other participants to apprise EPA officials about the specific concerns of the motorcoach industry, and also the other industry members who joined UMA in filing official comments to the EPA proposal supporting his recommendations. The final sentence specifically referencing charter service operators is especially important in ensuring the application of this new rule to our industry.
The rule is final and effective today affecting heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in the model year 2027. The entire 1,153-page rule can be found here, with the motorcoach language above on page 262 for those whhttps://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-12/new-motor-veh-air-poll-control-hd-eng-veh-stnd-frm-2022-12-20.pdfo may not desire to read the entire document.
Related:
Vandalia Coach’s Phil Streif advocates for industry with EPA
