Obama set to announce heavy truck fuel economy standards

White House E1312557520751President Obama will announce new fuel economy standards for heavy-duty trucks at Virginia-based Interstate Moving Services Aug. 9. The standards will affect work trucks, buses and other heavy-duty vehicles.

According to the press statement released yesterday by the Office of the Press Secretary, “The new standards will provide American businesses, who operate and own these commercial vehicles, tens of billions of dollars in fuel savings, and will dramatically reduce oil consumption and cut pollution.” No other details were made available.

Last fall, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation proposed a 20 percent reduction in emissions and improvement in fuel economy for heavy-duty trucks. The proposal called for standards to begin in the 2014 model year.

Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services is headquartered just outside the Washington, D.C. beltway in Springfield. One of its five companies is IMS, which provides moving and storage for individuals, as well as for companies and government agencies.

On Aug. 11, Obama will visit Johnson Controls Inc. in Holland, Mich. During his tour of the advanced battery facility, he will discuss how innovative technologies help automakers achieve fuel economy standards.

The president announced July 29 that an agreement was reached with 13 major automakers to pursue the next phase in fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon for cars and light-duty trucks by 2025.

Jeff Crissey is Fusable's content director for OEM/Aftermarket and is responsible for coordinating special editorial projects and events for the company's Commercial Carrier Journal, Equipment World and Overdrive brands. Prior to this role, Crissey served as editor of CCJ for 10 years. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Auburn University and has been a member of Fusable's editorial staff for 27 years, where his coverage of industry topics has earned numerous regional and national awards over the years. Before joining Fusable, Crissey was a production assistant at CNN in Atlanta.