Dive Brief:
- With new limits on greenhouse gas emissions soon going into effect, a University of Michigan team surveyed fleet managers for their views on fuel. The results include responses from nearly 100 heavy-duty fleet managers, reports Phys.org.
- Managers of smaller trucking fleets said that when the price of diesel rises to $3.50, they would then seek out fuel-saving technologies. Managers of larger fleets said $3.00 was their maximum.
- About 80% of communities are dependent on trucks — which often are best suited to go that vital last mile — to deliver commodities.
Dive Insight:
Less than a year ago, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule that would aim to reduce heavy-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by over 10% by 2027, implemented over two phases.
The first phase, effective immediately, would provide credits and other incentives for light-duty trucks to lower their fuel economy by adopting additional technology. Heavy duty trucks would not have to comply until the second phase, at which point the most strict adherence would be made towards the new vehicle models rather than vehicles currently in operation.
The survey provides key context as to what incentives are required for heavy-duty fleet managers to adopt sustainability absent of a compliance risk. Fuel prices play a large role — as cheaper fuel means fewer budgetary concerns.
Yet, regulatory pressure has only continued to intensify over the years, so green technology adoption may still be on the rise for the industry. Notably, speed limits were a popular tool for reducing emissions, which could bolster the case for mandatory speed limits at a future date.
