The trucking industry is committed to a bold sustainability program that will have an immediate impact on the environment, reducing fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons and thus reducing the carbon footprint of all vehicles by nearly a billion tons over the next ten years.
The industry’s new plan will extend the significant progress the industry has already made over the past 24 years in reducing its carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment.
Trucking is the first freight industry to widely use advanced diesel engine emission control systems. Engines manufactured in 2007 emit 90 percent less soot and 50 percent less smog-forming compounds than previous engines.
Aerodynamic design, wider tires and idle reduction equipment reduce fuel consumption.
Over 400 trucking companies are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency as SmartWay™ carriers that commit to increase energy efficiency and significantly reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gases and air pollution.
Seventy-seven percent of trucks have speed limiters to reduce fuel consumption and improve safety. The American Trucking Associations, on behalf of the trucking industry, has petitioned the federal government to make speed limiters mandatory.