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Medium- and heavy-duty trucks, motor coaches, and transit buses - collectively MHDVs - are used in every sector of the economy. The fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of MHDVs have become a focus of legislative and regulatory action in the past few years. This report comprises the first periodic, five-year follow-on to the 2010 report, Technologies and Approaches to Reducing the Fuel Consumption of Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicles. It reviews NHTSA fuel consumption regulations and considers the technological, market and regulatory factors that may be of relevance to a revised and updated regulatory regime taking effect for model years 2019-2022.
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Consensus
·2020
Medium- and heavy-duty trucks, motor coaches, and transit buses - collectively, "medium- and heavy-duty vehicles", or MHDVs - are used in every sector of the economy. The fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of MHDVs have become a focus of legislative and regulatory action in the past few y...
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Description
The committee will prepare a report as follows 19 months after the start of the cooperative agreement (April 2014):
- The committee will review the NHTSA fuel consumption regulations promulgated on September 2011 (76 Federal Register 57106) and consider the technological, market and regulatory factors that may be of relevance to a revised and updated regulatory regime taking effect for model years 2019-2022. This review will include, but not be limited to, the potential for technological change in commercial vehicles in MY 2019-2022 and the impact it might have on the regulatory regime. Also as part of its review, the committee will explore regulatory options for trailers.
- The committee will analyze and provide options for improvements to the certification and compliance procedures for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles - including the use of representative test cycles and simulation using various models - such as might be implemented in revised fuel consumption regulations affecting MY 2019-2022.
- The committee will review an updated analysis of the makeup and characterization of the medium- and heavy-duty truck fleet, including combination tractors, trailers, busses and vocational vehicles. The committee also will review the methodology for providing on-road information on fuel consumption.
- The committee will examine the barriers to and the potential applications of natural gas in class 2b through class 8 vehicles. The committee will consider how such vehicles could be included in the framework on fuel consumption regulations.
- Address uncertainties and perform sensitivity analyses for the fuel consumption and cost/benefit estimates, to the extent possible, and provide guidance to NHTSA on improving its uncertainty analyses given the relatively long time frame for these future estimates.
Further, with respect to a final report (May 2016), the committee will:
- Review and contrast the final rule for fuel efficiency/greenhouse gas emissions standards for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles for model years 2014-2018 with the recommendations offered in the NRC 2010 report. The committee will identify the potential implications and gaps in the U.S. regulatory process for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles as they pertain to the engine manufacturers, trailer manufacturers, final stage manufacturers, and complete vehicles. As part of this activity, the committee will explore regulatory options for trailers from a total vehicle perspective. The committee will contrast the U.S. regulatory approach to that in other parts of the world, notably Europe, Japan, China and India.
- Analyze and provide options for improvements to the certification and compliance procedures for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including the use of representative test cycles and simulation using EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GEM) model.
- Review updated baseline information on the medium- and heavy-duty truck fleet, including combination tractors and trailers. The committee also will review the methodology for providing on-road information on fuel consumption necessary to inform baseline standards.
- Examine advanced gasoline engine technologies, including the ability of those engines to meet load demands, the impact of those engines on cost, the need for after-treatment systems, and their market acceptability. The committee will also consider the impacts of possible alternate fuels on these technologies.
- Examine diesel vehicle technologies, including the capabilities of emissions control systems to meet current and possible future criteria pollutant emissions standards, the impacts on fuel consumption attributed to meeting emissions standards, and the fuel characteristics needed to enable low emissions diesel technologies. The committee will also consider the impacts of possible alternate fuels on these technologies.
- Examine electric power train technologies, including the capabilities, limitations and cost of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. Specific areas of interest include electric vs. hydraulic vs. other; all electric vehicles; start/stop systems; implementation strategies; total capital and operating costs; modeling and simulations as a tool; the certification process; and emissions compliance.
- Examine battery technologies including an examination of the cost, performance, range, durability (including performance degradation over time) and safety issues related to lithium ion and other possible advanced energy storage technologies that are necessary to enable plug-in and full function electric vehicles.
- Examine the potential for reducing vehicle mass including technologies such as materials substitution, and the use of new vehicle, structural, system or component designs. Examine other vehicle technologies, including aerodynamic drag reduction, improved efficiency of accessories such as alternators, and the conversion of engine-driven equipment to electricity (e.g., HVAC, fans, and water pumps).
- Evaluate intermodal and intelligent systems for potential fuel consumption benefits, including a survey of the current fleet communication systems (vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle to infrastructure), existing barriers to implementation, and future technologies.
- Review the potential impacts of fuel-consumption-reduction technologies on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle safety including aerodynamic components, wide-based wheels and tires, tire pressure monitoring/automatic inflation systems, hybridization/alternative fuels, combination vehicles/higher GVWRs, light-weighting, and idle reduction/stop-start, and others.
- Provide an analysis of how fuel efficient technologies may be practically integrated into manufacturing processes and how such technologies are likely to be applied in response to requirements for reducing fuel consumption. The committee will include an analysis of how technology implementation is likely to impact capital equipment and engineering, research and development (ER&D) costs, the certification process, and emissions compliance.
- Examine the costs, cost multipliers and benefits that could accompany the introduction of technologies for reducing fuel consumption. Consider to the extent possible, initial and life-cycle costs, including such aspects as operation, maintenance, insurance, and other factors.
- To the extent possible, address uncertainties and perform sensitivity analyses for the fuel consumption and cost/benefit estimates and provide guidance to NHTSA on improving its uncertainty analyses given the relatively long time frame for these future estimates.
- Write a final report documenting its conclusions and recommendations.
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Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Gary Rogers
In accordance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the "Academy shall make its best efforts to ensure that no individual appointed to serve on [a] committee has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the functions to be performed, unless such conflict is promptly and publicly disclosed and the Academy determines that the conflict is unavoidable." A conflict of interest refers to an interest, ordinarily financial, of an individual that could be directly affected by the work of the committee. As specified in the Academy's policy and procedures (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi/index.html), an objective determination is made for each provisionally appointed committee member whether or not a conflict of interest exists given the facts of the individual's financial and other interests and the task being undertaken by the committee. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual's actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
We have concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established its membership must include among others, at least one person who possesses expertise in design of medium- and heavy-duty engines using computer simulations.
To meet the need for this expertise and experience, Mr Gary Rogers is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that he has a conflict of interest because the firm of which he is CEO has consulting relationships with makers of medium- and heavy-duty truck engines.
Mr.Rogers is president and chief executive officer of FEV, Inc., a firm which provides engineering design and engine testing services to the automotive industry, makers of truck engines, and government agencies. He has extensive experience and specialized expertise in the use of computer simulations in the design and development of advanced engine and power train systems, including homogeneous and direct-injected gasoline engines, high-speed direction injection passenger car diesel engines, heavy-duty diesel engines, hybrid vehicle systems, gas turbines, pumps, and compressors. We believe that Mr. Rogers can serve effectively as a member of the committee and that the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the work.
After an extensive search, we have been unable to find another individual with the equivalent specialized technical knowledge as Mr. Rogers who does not have a similar conflict of interest. Therefore, we have concluded that this potential conflict is unavoidable.
NOTE: Effective October 2013, Mr Rogers is no longer an employee of FEV.
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Dan Hancock
In accordance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the "Academy shall make its best efforts to ensure that no individual appointed to serve on [a] committee has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the functions to be performed, unless such conflict is promptly and publicly disclosed and the Academy determines that the conflict is unavoidable." A conflict of interest refers to an interest, ordinarily financial, of an individual that could be directly affected by the work of the committee. As specified in the Academy's policy and procedures (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi/index.html), an objective determination is made for each provisionally appointed committee member whether or not a conflict of interest exists given the facts of the individual's financial and other interests and the task being undertaken by the committee. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual's actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
We have concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established its membership must include among others, at least one person who possesses expertise in how fuel efficient technologies may be integrated into manufacturing processes and other issues associated with technology implementation and who furthermore has held leadership positions in the truck and engine manufacturing industry.
To meet the need for this expertise and experience, Mr. Dan Hancock is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that he has a conflict of interest because owns non-deminimis amount of stock in General Motors Corporation, which makes pick-up trucks and medium-duty truck engines.
Mr. Hancock has more than 30 years’ experience in the truck supplier industry, including a stint leading General Motor’s diesel powertrain business line. He has had managerial responsibility for the development and deployment of engine technologies at all stage of the value chain: from research to product design and development, manufacturing and deployment. As such, he is uniquely well-positioned to judge the feasibility of technological options for complying with fuel economy standards. We believe that Mr. Hancock can serve effectively as a member of the committee and that the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the work.
After an extensive search, we have been unable to find another individual with the equivalent combination of practical experience and expertise as Mr. Hancock who does not have a similar conflict of interest. Therefore, we have concluded that this potential conflict is unavoidable.
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Christine Vujovich
In accordance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the "Academy shall make its best efforts to ensure that no individual appointed to serve on [a] committee has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the functions to be performed, unless such conflict is promptly and publicly disclosed and the Academy determines that the conflict is unavoidable." A conflict of interest refers to an interest, ordinarily financial, of an individual that could be directly affected by the work of the committee. As specified in the Academy's policy and procedures (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi/index.html), an objective determination is made for each provisionally appointed committee member whether or not a conflict of interest exists given the facts of the individual's financial and other interests and the task being undertaken by the committee. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual's actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
We have concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established its membership must include among others, at least one person who possesses expertise in regulatory compliance and who has served in leadership positions in the truck engine manufacturing industry.
To meet the need for this expertise and experience, Ms. Christine Vujovich is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that she has a conflict of interest because owns non-deminimis amount of stock in Cummins Inc, a maker of medium- and heavy-duty truck engines.
Ms. Vujovich has 31 years’ experience with Cummins Inc, including service as vice president for environmental policy. She oversaw Cummins’s participation in the development of several automotive regulations and subsequently saw-through the technical implementation of these inside the company. In the 1980s, this included leading the company through the implementation of the reauthorization of the Clean Air Act, one of the major regulatory regimes in-force in the United States. As such, she is uniquely qualified in understanding how regulatory requirements are translated into technical specifications and products. We believe that Ms. Vujovich can serve effectively as a member of the committee and that the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the work.
After an extensive search, we have been unable to find another individual with the equivalent combination of practical experience and expertise as Ms. Vujovich who does not have a similar conflict of interest. Therefore, we have concluded that this potential conflict is unavoidable.
Committee Membership Roster Comments
Effective May 15, 2015, the committee membership has changed with the resignation of David F. Merrion.
Effective February 17, 2017, the committee membership has changed with the resignation of Amelia Regan.
Sponsors
Department of Transportation
Staff
Martin Offutt
Lead