National Academy of Sciences Reveal GHG And Fuel Efficiency Phase 2 Standards Proposal
The National Academy of Sciences have published their interim report recommendations for Phase 2 standards and options for Phase 3 which regulate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Fuel Efficiency. Christine Vujovich, representing the National Academy of Sciences, addressing the 7 Emissions Summit & DEF Forum USA, detailed the content of the report and the recommendations that they have provided the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The National Academy of Sciences’ Committee was charged with reviewing the U.S. regulatory process for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and considering regulatory possibilities for model year 2019 – 2022. This included analysing the certification and compliance procedures, reviewing updated analysis of the makeup of the medium- and heavy-duty fleets, examining the barriers to wider expansion of natural gas vehicles and providing guidance to the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA).
Vujovich began by explaining the process behind their Phase 1 standards recommendation report that was published just a year before the regulation was finalised. The Committee reviewing Phase 2 decided that they would publish an interim report which would allow the EPA and NHTSA enough time to consider their proposals.
With this in mind, the Committee began by examining the issues that weren’t regulated from their Phase 1 report.
A key issue the Committee wanted to address was the establishment of a data acquisition method to determine baseline medium/heavy-duty vehicle stock, sales and performance, which would enable the regulators to determine if standards were actually being met.
Other areas from their Phase 2 proposals included implementing a driver training programme to encourage reduced fuel consumption, the formation of an expert group to review the fidelity of vehicle simulations and to determine whether fuel efficiency gains could be obtained through the dieselisation of Class 2b through to Class 7 vehicles
Vujovich commented on other key recommendations of the report. Certification using modelling and simulation, which considers the trade-off between fuel efficiency and NOx, and the choice of test cycles used in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM) which better reflect real-world driving conditions.
The Committee also proposed that NHTSA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should develop a separate standard for natural gas vehicles which addresses, among other issues, the maximum feasibility of natural gas engines to achieve a reduction in GHG emissions and fuel consumption.
Other considerations include determining the well-to-tank GHG emissions of natural gas vehicles and supporting further technical improvements in engine efficiency, operating costs, a reduction in storage costs and emission controls.
The regulation of trailers is another issue that the Committee want the EPA and NHTSA to consider.
The proposal includes creating a standard for all new 53 foot and longer trailers meet performance standards to reduce their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
The full report is available from the National Academies Press here
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The discussion took place at the 7th on the 28th – 30th makers, engine and vehicle manufacturers and suppliers examining the challenges of emissions reductions for the on- and off-highway and marine vessels sector. Integer Emissions Summit & DEF Forum USA 2014 taking place October in Chicago. The conference is hosting over 80 speakers from policy makers, engine and vehicle manufacturers and suppliers examining the challenges of emissions reductions for the on- and off-highway and marine vessels sector.
