Trucking industry asks EPA for delay of heavy-duty NOx rule

The trucking industry has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to delay the impending heavy-duty NOx rule until the year 2031. 

A group of Trucking Associations banned together and wrote a letter to EPA Administrator on Wednesday, August 13th, asking that the rule’s details be reconsidered and that the deadline be pushed to 2031. 

Currently, the proposed heavy-duty NOx rule would require reduced emissions of nitrogen oxide from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines and would establish updated greenhouse gas standards for certain commercial vehicle categories starting in 2027.

The letter states that modern trucks already adhere to strict emissions standards, including nitrogen oxide emissions, and states that adhering to the new rule would come at a substantial cost for the entire trucking industry. The letter urges the EPA to reevaluate stringency levels, warranty obligations, useful life requirements, and technical elements listed in the new rule. They also encourage the EPA to finalize any of these changes by the end of 2026 to allow truck manufacturers time to prepare for the new 2031 deadline. 

“As finalized, the heavy-duty NOx rule imposes substantial compliance costs and operational burdens at a time when the trucking industry is already contending with historically difficult market conditions,” ATA wrote. “With prolonged weakness in freight demand and inflationary cost pressures, the rule’s 2027 implementation timeline threatens to intensify strain across our industry.”

“An implementation delay will provide much-needed near-term certainty, and a full reconsideration of the heavy-duty standards will help ensure the trucking industry’s ability to affordably deliver our nation’s freight in a safe and efficient way,” the letter states.