NTEA Adopts Climate Change Policy

NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry has adopted a climate change policy to highlight how the industry is addressing climate-change concerns through advancing the use of alternative fuels and advanced technologies for commercial vehicles.

The new policy explains the work truck industry represents a positive force in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The move gives NTEA the opportunity to educate the public, regulators, and legislators about how the industry is already putting in place solutions to society’s environmental concerns.

“The work truck industry is at the forefront of alternative fuels and advanced technologies, and plays a key role as part of the solution to the environmental challenges we face,” said Peter Miller, NTEA chair, in a news release. “NTEA’s policy emphasizes the importance of multiple technology and fuel options on the path to zero emissions, as work trucks do not represent a one-size-fits-all situation.”

Work trucks come in many sizes and configurations. One may make last-mile deliveries, while another stays at the jobsite with an aerial bucket repairing utility lines. The fuels and advanced technologies that make one vehicle efficient and clean may not make sense for another truck doing a different type of work.

NTEA has created a community umbrella under which manufacturers, designers and users can gather to learn about all the options that can make a work truck both efficient and environmentally responsible. Green Truck Summit has been held annually in conjunction with Work Truck Week since 2008. Green Truck Association, an NTEA affiliate division, was formed in 2010 as a resource for legislative and regulatory updates, market data, technical, and engineering solutions.

“Climate change is a serious global challenge that requires long-term commitments — and every industry has a role to play,” said Mike Kastner, NTEA’s managing director, who leads legislative and regulatory lobbying efforts across United States and Canada. “NTEA recognizes the work truck industry is well-positioned to make a significant difference through continued development of innovative new technologies to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. The industry will produce vocational trucks for the future that both increase overall vehicle efficiency and reduce GHGs on the path to zero emissions.”

Based on this policy, NTEA’s principles include:

• We support evidence-based, scientifically grounded policy solutions that are fuel- and technology-agnostic. We believe there are multiple paths to a zero-emission future.
• Solutions should be data-driven. 
• Industry has an important role to play in driving new technological solutions, and government policy can help create the enabling environment for such innovation.

In the new policy, NTEA reiterates it’s imperative that work trucks are included in the national discussion. Commercial vehicles play a vital role in our economy and represent an opportunity to deploy alternative fuels and advanced technologies.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “The transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions (28.2% of total GHG emissions in 2018). Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuel for our cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes. Some 90% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum-based, which includes primarily gasoline and diesel.”

“NTEA is dedicated to building knowledge and acceptance of technologies that will reduce GHG emissions,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO. “Further, we support and develop driver training and vehicle purchasing education to enhance vehicle efficiency.”