by Alden Smith
It is a well know fact that SUV's are responsible for emitting the highest amount of greenhouse gases than any other vehicle on the market. Many people own them and never use them to haul anything except groceries. A popular website, bansuvs.com, reports that "Most SUV's and pickups, and all vans, are permitted to emit 29% to 47% more carbon monoxide (CO) and 75% to 175% more nitrogen oxides (NOx) than passenger cars."
A truck that weighs 6,001 to 8,500 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight is known as "heavy light-duty trucks." Examples of these vehicles would be the Ford Excursion or the ever-popular Hummer. Here's the bad news. These vehicles are allowed to get up to 7 miles per gallon less than the average passenger vehicle, and because of their classification, do not even have to have their low mileage figures reported to the government. Under the law, these vehicles slip under the radar of pollution standards. This article will discuss these vehicles and their impact on the environment. We will also look at any alternatives.
Current Governmental Standards
In place today is the federal Tier 2 program, which requires vehicles between 6,000-8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) to phase-in to an interim fleet average requirement for model years 2004 through 2007, and to fully phase-in to the Tier 2 requirements in model years 2008 and 2009. The program, put in place in December 1999, has 2 categories:
- Multiple tiers of emission standards, called "bins"
- A mechanism requiring each manufacturer to phase-in
A progressively cleaner mix of vehicles each year with
the option of credit trading. - A single set of standards that does not vary with
light-duty vehicle weight class. - 20,000 mile full useful life durability
As we see here, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking steps to insure that light duty trucks will be included in these standards - a good thing for the environment.
What California Is Doing
California has always been a leader in emission control. They have set standards beyond what the EPA Tier 2 requires to reduce pollution. Fleet average NMOG emissions have been set by California's Air Resource Board (ARB) on a declining scale for each model year to gradually force manufacturers to produce more and more of their California vehicles in the lower emission certification categories. The ARB and EPA have put in place a clean fuel component in their low emission vehicles (LEV) II and Tier 2 regulatory programs with respect to gasoline sulfur levels.
What's Considered Best?
In the industry, Toyota has announced a new line of eco-friendly plug-in hybrids for fleet and commercial enterprises. They plan to have these in place by 2010, and will produce plug-in vehicles that can be charged off a normal household electric outlet. For an around town business, this should be ideal.
Another light duty truck is the Nissan Atlas. The newer models have been redesigned for more comfort, and are considered to be very friendly to the environment. These trucks would be ideal for construction workers needing to haul supplies, or someone who delivers such things as furniture or appliances. The beauty of the Atlas is that a CDL license is not needed to drive one.
Japan's Mitsubishi Fusion Cantor Eco is one of the latest generations of hybrid light duty trucks that are very friendly to the environment. The truck is a hybrid that utilizes a clean burning diesel engine and an electric system that works well for in town delivery. Utilizing a 123 hp turbocharged diesel engine and a parallel 47 hp brushless permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor/generator, it has proven itself to be both efficient and capable of handling most light duty needs. The hybrid system switches its operational mode according to the driving situation, with the truck starting off using the electric motor. Under heavy acceleration, the diesel engine kicks in to give needed performance.
At the Detroit Auto show this year, both Ford and Dodge unveiled light duty trucks that are making a try to be more eco-friendly. These automakers are working on diesel engines for their vehicles to meet federal emission standards.
What You Can Do
If you are in the market for a light duty truck, consider buying a diesel, for they have proven to not only be friendlier to the environment, but to have better pulling power. Consider pooling together with other business owners in your area to determine whether or not you could all use one truck to meet your needs. When you drive, be sure to follow the rules set in place for clean air standards. Don't accelerate quickly, and use common sense when driving.
Until trucks meet EPA guidelines, it is our obligation to do what is best for the environment. Know what you are buying, and be sure to check stickers to see what vehicle has the best standards.
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