Volvo Group responds to OOIDA plea to ease engine deadline
"Volvo Trucks sees no reason to change the current timetable for U.S. 2010,” Per Carlsson said.
The Trucker Staff
11/24/2008
The two North American-based Volvo Group original equipment makers have taken exception to a suggestion by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) that asks U.S. policymakers to take action in response to new research predicting a dramatic drop in new truck and engine purchases which will ultimately lead to a breakdown in the trucking industry.
NERA Economic Consulting released a study detailing implications for the 2010 emission requirements for diesel engines indicating truckers and fleet managers will ultimately decide to not buy new engines and trucks because of financial reasons and user uncertainties. This will eventually mean huge job losses and a lack of choices for trucking equipment consumers of all sizes.
“With record-high diesel fuel prices earlier this year, trucking companies have already faced nearly insurmountable challenges trying to stay in business,” said Todd Spencer, executive vice president of OOIDA. “It’s the worst possible time for the trucking industry to take on a high stakes gamble with no known level of reliability of the technologies or return on investment.”
However, “Moving the goal post now is not necessary and unfair to those who have invested heavily and worked diligently to meet the clean air goals set out by the EPA,” countered Mack Trucks President and CEO Dennis Slagle in a prepared statement.
“Mack is fully on track with SCR, a proven technology that delivers significantly better fuel economy, benefitting customers and the environment,” he added.
Per Carlsson, president and CEO of Volvo Trucks North America, echoed Slagle.
"Volvo Trucks sees no reason to change the current timetable for U.S. 2010,” Carlsson said. “We’re prepared to meet these regulations as they stand today without the use of emissions credits. Extensive testing in North America and widespread experience elsewhere confirms that SCR is the optimal solution, providing significant fuel economy improvements and cleaner air.”
He said more than half a million trucks use SCR every day in Europe. “In North America, Volvo Trucks has over 1.5 million miles of customer testing so far, with excellent results and operational experience."
OOIDA said it would like the Bush Administration and Congress to push for a restructured timeline, phasing in the new emission standards to allow ample breathing room and build confidence within the trucking industry, providing time to prove the worthiness of new engines, give the economy an opportunity to recover and explore new fuel alternatives.
“With more time, the solutions will become much clearer and environmentally much cleaner,” Spencer said. “Otherwise, there will be a delay in the intended environmental benefit because there is a disincentive to purchasing the new technology. Truckers and fleets are simply going to hold onto their equipment for a longer period of time, if they are able to hold onto it at all.”
Meanwhile, the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) recently affirmed that its members are on schedule and ready to meet EPA’s stringent 2010 emission standards for heavy-duty engines. Engine manufacturers have invested heavily in engineering technological solutions and design changes to meet the new NOx emission standard that is required for 2010 model-year engines and see no technological barriers to meeting the standard.
“All engine and vehicle manufacturers will have product available to meet the applicable emissions standards when 2010 models are introduced,” said Jed Mandel, EMA president. “Engine manufacturers successfully brought compliant products to the market when the new emissions standards for PM and NOx were implemented in 2007, and our members are on track to meet the 2010 emissions standards as well.
“Fleet and truck owners can be confident that reliable, durable and fuel efficient vehicles meeting the 2010 emission standards will be available.”
Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.