Truck makers call for 'regulatory harmonization'

CHICAGO (March 23, 2016) — The world's leading manufacturers of heavy-duty commercial trucks and engines recently called for further progress in regulatory harmonization and closer cooperation among European, North American and Japanese regulators in order to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption associated with on-road freight transport.

Meeting in Brussels, the chief executives of more than 10 global truck and engine manufacturers discussed key issues facing their industry, including fuel efficiency improvements, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, safety, diesel fuel specifications, and issues related to heavy-duty engine and vehicle regulation and certification. They also explored the potential of intelligent transport systems (ITS) to further reduce emissions and improve road transport.

Chaired by Martin Lundstedt, chairman of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association's (ACEA) Commercial Vehicle Board and president and CEO of Volvo Group, this was the industry CEOs' 13th meeting to discuss global issues facing commercial vehicle manufacturers and recommend solutions to critical challenges facing the industry, according to the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA).

Summarizing the meeting, Mr. Lundstedt said “heavy-duty engine and vehicle manufacturers are making clear progress in exhaust emission reductions and fuel efficiency improvements with sustained efforts. Accelerating efforts aimed at harmonization of test procedures and standards are needed to further advance the global objective of greenhouse gas reductions.”

The chief executives also agreed on the need to further develop active safety measures as well as the need to explore the benefits of ITS, adding that “the best approach to reach this objective is for governments and industry to work together.”

Advancing the progress made at previous meetings, the CEOs discussed issues related to:

• Fuel efficiency improvements and reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions;

• Safety measures;

• ITS; and

• Harmonization of diesel fuel specifications and regulations.

Points agreed at during the meeting included:

• Proposal for a long-term action on the introduction of globally harmonized fuel efficiency measurement metrics and test procedures for heavy-duty vehicles; and

• The need for further discussions on safety measures and ITS.

According to the EMA, the leaders of the assembled companies also:

• Emphasized the need for concerted global action for GHG emissions reductions;

• Referred to the progress made in UN discussions on the development of global diesel fuel specifications; and

• Confirmed the need for further discussions on safety measures and ITS.

Agreeing to advise their regional secretariats to continue the activities of the joint experts' meetings, the chief executives also affirmed that trans-national/trans-regional cooperative efforts between industry and governments toward global harmonization can serve to promote improvements for customers and the global environment.

Also attending this meeting were delegates of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), the EMA, and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).