Reducing Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Phase Two

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 years. This study is a follow-on to the National Research Council's 2010 report, Technologies and Approaches to Reducing the Fuel Consumption of Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicles. That report provided a series of findings and recommendations on the development of regulations for reducing fuel consumption of MHDVs.On September 15, 2011, NHTSA and EPA finalized joint Phase I rules to establish a comprehensive Heavy-Duty National Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption for on-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. As NHTSA and EPA began working on a second round of standards, the National Academies issued another report, Reducing the Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Phase Two: First Report, providing recommendations for the Phase II standards. This third and final report focuses on a possible third phase of regulations to be promulgated by these agencies in the next decade.Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Introduction2 Setting the Stage: Regulatory Horizons, Challenges, and Influences3 Certification, Compliance, and Enforcement4 Powertrain Technologies5 Technologies for Reducing the Power Demand of MHDVs6 Projected Benefits of Technologies on Fuel Consumption7 Hybrid and Electric Powertrain Technologies8 Battery Technology for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Hybrid and Electric Vehicles9 Freight Operational Efficiency10 Intelligent Transportation Systems and Automation11 Manufacturing Considerations12 Costs and Benefits13 Alternative and Complementary Regulatory ApproachesAppendix A: Committee BiographiesAppendix B: Disclosure of Conflicts of InterestAppendix C: Committee ActivitiesAppendix D: Summary of Analysis of Engine and Vehicle CombinationsAppendix E: Description of Drive Cycles Used for ComplianceAppendix F: Summary of Committee's First Report: Reducing the Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Phase Two: First ReportAppendix G: Acronyms and Abbreviations