Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

25 Percent Better Fuel Economy?

The economy mandate for medium and heavy duty trucks, signed by President Obama in a May 21 Rose Garden ceremony, has been greeted by the industry with broad support. This is maybe a little surprising

by Staff
June 3, 2010
3 min to read


The economy mandate for medium and heavy duty trucks, signed by President Obama in a May 21 Rose Garden ceremony, has been greeted by the industry with broad support. This is maybe a little surprising,
especially since the president was quoted as saying: "We estimate that we can increase fuel economy by as much as 25 percent in tractor-trailers using technologies that already exist."

I have to say that if any engine manufacturer could, today, increase fuel economy 25 percent, it would be the first to do so and then sit back as every trucking executive beat a frenzied path to its door to avail him- or herself of such a competitive advantage. And they would likely pay a hefty premium for the privilege. To my mind the president's comment is mildly insulting, insinuating that the engine makers are just sitting on the technology and colluding with the wicked oil companies in efforts to make their customers purchase more fuel than they need.

But I guess the assembled executives from Navistar, Daimler Trucks North America, Volvo, Cummins and the American Trucking Associations at the signing can see the writing on the wall: The administration is going to mandate some sort of CAFE standard on medium- and heavy-duty, so they might as well embrace the issue and get some say in how the legislation is crafted.

In fact, surrounded by these executives, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum calling for legislation by July 30, 2011. He has asked the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to work together to produce rules covering emissions and fuel standards and present a workable plan. The new standards will start in 2014 and be fully implemented by 2018.

Truck and engine manufacturers have already had input, working for the last 18 months with EPA on the plan. No details are available yet, but the principles of the program were outlined in a May 18 letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson from Martin Daum of Daimler Trucks.

While a 25 percent reduction may seem like a huge step, it all depends where the baselines are drawn. Using non-aerodynamic standard configurations, significant gains can be made using just SmartWay technologies and practices that may already offer fuel savings in the 20- to 25- percent region over such a baseline.

Of course, fleets that want to stay in business in tough times like we have seen lately are already doing these things. But a CAFE-type standard is targeted at the manufacturer, not the user. So maybe it won't be so bad on the industry after all. However, the steps already made by end-user fleets tend to make a big hole in the claims of fuel to be saved and CO2 to be reduced by the mandate.


Read more about the future of fuel economy in the June issue of Heavy Duty Trucking magazine.


Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Equipment

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie on Mack Defense order.
EquipmentJune 23, 2026

Mack Defense Secures $47 Million to Continue Military Dump Truck Production

President Trump visited Mack Defense’s Macungie, Pennsylvania, facility on June 23 to tout a $47 million Heavy Dump Truck order.

Read More →
Mack Truck Museum, Allentown, PA.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 23, 2026

New (Antique) Trucks Take the Spotlight at the Mack Trucks Museum

The Mack Trucks Historical Museum has a slate of new historic vehicles on display this year.

Read More →
Illustration of toy truck on top of 100-dollar bills, with logos for Wex and TFS Financial
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 23, 2026

WEX, TFS Launch Equipment Financing Program for Trucking Fleets

The companies say the program uses technology to connect fleets with financing providers more efficiently than traditional lending channels.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Line of vintage trucks
EquipmentJune 19, 2026

Historic, Vintage, and Antique Trucks at the 2026 ATHS Convention

More than 500 trucks were on display, indoors and out, at the 2026 American Historical Society annual convention in Springfield, Missouri.

Read More →
Illustration showing DEF tank and Detroit engine
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJune 18, 2026

DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect

The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.

Read More →
photo of a military truck with "Great American Trucks" wording on top of red-white-and-blue background.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 16, 2026

Great American Trucks: The International MaxxPro MRAP

Built from an International WorkStar chassis and powered by a MaxxForce diesel, the MaxxPro MRAP became one of the most important military trucks of the Iraq War era.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
2026 Mack Granite interior.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 11, 2026

New Mack Granite Cab Puts Driver Comfort Front and Center

Mack’s next-generation vocational truck features a roomier cab, premium seating, advanced steering technology, and a driver-focused interior designed with direct input from professional operators.

Read More →
Mack Trucks Pioneer Nascar Salutes truck.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 11, 2026

Mack Unveils Fan-Selected Patriotic NASCAR Pioneer Wraps

Racing fans picked the patriotic design now featured on three Mack Pioneer trucks hauling NASCAR equipment across the country during the 2026 season.

Read More →
Michelin X Line Grip D tires.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 9, 2026

Michelin Expands X Line Grip D Tire Line

Michelin is expanding its X Line Grip D drive tire lineup with a new pre-mold retread and additional sizes, building on what the company says is strong fleet adoption of the tire's traction, mileage, and fuel-efficiency benefits.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of SCR/DEF system on heavy-duty truck
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 4, 2026

Engine Technology Forum Launches SCR, DEF Resource Center Amid Emissions Debate

The Engine Technology Forum’s new online hub aims to provide fleets, policymakers, and equipment owners with fact-based information about selective catalytic reduction technology, diesel exhaust fluid and emissions compliance.

Read More →