By Truckinginfo Staff
The Environmental Protection Agency is changing the designation for tractors and trailers it lists as fuel-efficient options, from “SmartWay Certified” to “SmartWay Designated.”
The agency says this will help distinguish top-performing vehicles that meet SmartWay specifications from vehicles certified to meet EPA regulatory requirements.
In addition, some critics have pointed out that the word “certified” implies the EPA has actually tested the listed equipment. The EPA does not actually test the fuel efficiency of these technologies. Instead, it requires that manufacturers conduct testing according to EPA test protocols. Depending on the type of vehicle or equipment, that testing may take place on a test track or in a laboratory. The equipment maker submits those results to the EPA’s technical team, which reviews the results. If the testing meets the criteria, it is listed on the SmartWay website.
There are now updated logos for manufacturers of these technologies to sue, as well as for SmartWay Partner fleets that want to label their trucks and trailers.
Program Champions
In prior years, EPA recognized outstanding partners and affiliates with the SmartWay Excellence Awards. Selection criteria were based upon partner performance using SmartWay’s partner tools.
For the years 2010 and 2011, SmartWay undertook an extensive process to refine its partner tools and approaches. As a result of these efforts, SmartWay is rolling out a new suite of partner tools this year. EPA plans to use data submitted on these updated tools for future years’ SmartWay Excellence Awards.
During this transition, in lieu of holding the SmartWay Excellence Awards, EPA plans to recognize the commitment and innovation of teams or individuals who have made a strong and lasting contribution to the SmartWay program. Those honored “will have played a key role in helping the SmartWay program to complete critical milestones and achieve its goals, through their exemplary leadership, expertise, outreach, innovation and sustained support for the SmartWay program.”
Nominees will be selected by EPA, so there will be no application process. EPA will honor these champions at a recognition event held in conjunction with the Council for Supply Chain Management Professional’s Annual Global Conference, October in Philadelphia.
Printer Friendly Version
Email This Story
RSS
Environment: Related News
7/22/2011 – SmartWay Drops “Certified,” Announces Recognition Program
The Environmental Protection Agency is changing the designation for tractors and trailers it lists as fuel-efficient options, from “SmartWay Certified” to “SmartWay Designated.”…
More
7/20/2011 – Judge Rules ATA-Long Beach Settlement Broke State Law
A federal judge has ruled that the Port of Long Beach broke state law when it failed to perform an environmental impact study before settling an American Trucking Associations lawsuit over some components of its Clean Truck Program….
More
7/20/2011 – Emissions Control Makers Sold Nearly 25,000 Diesel Retrofits Last Year
The Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association recently released the results of its survey showing its member companies sold nearly 25,000 diesel retrofit devices in 2010….
More
7/19/2011 – Navistar Sues EPA to Force Re-Test of SCR Engines
Navistar is suing to force the Environmental Protection Agency to go back and re-test SCR engines for compliance with clean air standards and other aspects of the 2010 emission rule.
In the suit, filed July 5 at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Navistar contends that EPA failed to comply with requirements for certification testing in clearing selective catalytic reduction systems for production and sale….
More
7/14/2011 – CARB Says No to TRU Extension
Staff of the California Air Resources Board are not recommending extending the existing 7-year operating life for model year 2004 and newer transport refrigeration units (TRUs)….
More
6/30/2011 – FedEx Adds More Than 4,000 New, Fuel Efficient Vehicles
FedEx Express significantly expanded its energy efficient vehicle fleet with electric and hybrid….
More
6/30/2011 – Mid-Atlantic Program Offers Money to Clean Up Drayage Trucks
A Mid-Atlantic partnership has come up with a program to help replace higher-polluting, short-haul drayage trucks that shuttle between the major ports, warehouses and local stores….
More
6/29/2011 – EPA SmartWay Announces Voluntary Plan to Tackle Emissions from Drayage Trucks
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, joined by the Coalition for Responsible Transportation and the Environmental Defense Fund, is launching a new initiative to reduce pollution from short-haul trucks that service the nation’s ports….
More
6/13/2011 – FCCC Building 2,121 Gasoline-Powered Walk-in Vans for UPS
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. said it is filling an order for 2,121 FCCC gasoline-powered walk-in van chassis from United Parcel Service….
More
6/9/2011 – Transit Connect Electric Receives GSA Authorization for Government Orders
Azure Dynamics Corp. announced today that its Transit Connect Electric has received a GSA contract award allowing U.S. government agencies, affiliated companies and military installations to purchase the electric-drive compact van over the next four years. …
More