API urges EPA to modify proposed GHG emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2023 — The American Petroleum Institute (API) urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modify its proposal for new tailpipe emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles to better accomplish the agency’s goal of reducing emissions while preserving access to affordable and reliable transportation and freight options.

“We share the goal of reduced emissions across the broader economy and, specifically, those from energy production, transportation and use by society,” API Vice President of Downstream Policy Will Hupman said. “While we support technology-neutral federal policies that drive GHG emissions reductions in the transportation sector, we are concerned that this proposal, as well as EPA's light- and medium-duty proposed GHG rule, seriously misses the mark with respect to reducing carbon emissions from the entire transportation sector.”

API outlined major concerns with several aspects of the proposed rule in comments submitted to the EPA, including its singular focus on zero-emission vehicle technologies, while ignoring associated challenges with technology and infrastructure readiness. The rule could also undermine U.S. energy security by forcing a greater reliance on foreign sources for raw materials and critical minerals.

“EPA’s focus on zero-emission vehicle solutions, and specifically battery electric vehicles, ignores fuel- and vehicle-based options that could better accomplish the agency’s objectives to expeditiously achieve greater transportation sector-related emission reductions from the entire vehicle fleet (both new and in-use) at lower cost,” Hupman said. “Meaningful carbon emission reductions are achievable sooner, and potentially at lower cost, via the use of proven and available technology.”