The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association has announced the initial formation of the HDMA Strategic Energy Council, which is being formed to provide and maintain communication with federal agencies on energy-efficient technologies.


The HDMA Strategic Energy Council is comprised of two separate working groups: the Heavy Duty Strategic Energy Executive Group and the Heavy Duty Strategic Energy Technical & Marketing Group.

The Heavy Duty Strategic Energy Executive Group is made up of HDMA member executives representing heavy-duty suppliers to OEM truck and trailer manufacturers. These members are actively involved in the manufacturing or development of energy-efficient technologies, lightweight materials, and other products that contribute to the reduced consumption of fuel. The goal of this coalition is to work with Congress to provide tax incentives, grants and rebates to encourage the development and adoption of energy efficient technologies for both OEM and aftermarket commercial vehicles.

The HD Strategic Energy Technical & Marketing Group is a targeted group of HDMA member senior technical executives, engineers and marketing professionals actively involved in the design, development or marketing of heavy-duty industry energy efficient technologies. This council has a very strong interface with the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association governmental affairs office in Washington, D.C., and contributes frequently with comments on notices of proposed rules. The group also serves as advisors to the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency on regulations affecting the industry.

"Our members saw the need to form this group to work with our Washington office to propose new legislation, to comment on proposed regulations and to address those being imposed on the heavy-duty industry, often without regard to determining basic requirements and the velocity of technology developments to meet new energy standards," said Tim Kraus, president and chief operating officer of HDMA. "The formation of the Strategic Energy Council of HDMA will address these issues and attempt to keep ahead of the curve by contributing key knowledge and comments to these legislative and regulatory groups."