The little engines that could: 3 OEMs stand ready to meet EPA's strictest ever NOx limits
Some OEMs will rely on emissions credits to comply with EPA 2027 regulations, but International, Volvo and Mack are ready to roll...
With the trucking industry bracing for the Environmental Protection Agency’s stringent 2027 emissions regulations, sister companies Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks, along with International Motors, find themselves in a unique position: owners of true 0.035-gram nitrogen oxide (NOx) engines ready to meet a regulatory standard that technically doesn't even exist. Yet.
While the rule itself is not yet final, EPA's standards for model year 2027 require heavy-duty commercial vehicles to limit NOx emissions to 0.035 grams per horsepower-hour during normal operation. That final year is expected by year's end.
The prior rule had a firm compliance deadline, but the proposed rule expands the availability and flexibility of the credit system manufacturers use to meet regulatory averages and permits manufacturers to pay nonconformance penalties as a short-term alternative if they cannot immediately meet the hardware standards.
Other heavy truck and engine OEMs will rely on those emissions credits and/or penalties to temporarily bridge the regulatory gap as they ramp up sales of 35-milligram engines next year.
This story was originally published by CCJ. Read the full story at CCJ →
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