Tought Leader
What is Up with GHG Phase 2 and School Buses?
WRITTEN BY ROBERT T. PUDLEWSKI B
uilding on the success of the Phase I stan- dards, which all truck and bus manufacturers must certify in place by 2017-2018, EPA and NHTSA have jointly finalized Phase 2 stan-
dards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles powered by diesel, CNG and gasoline in August of 2016. Te final rule will be phased in over three periods: 2021, 2024, and model year 2027. Te EPA ruling states that Phase 2 compliance will
improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution to reduce the impacts of climate change while bolstering energy security and spurring manufacturing innovation. According to the EPA, the improvements, while costly, will provide a payback through fuel savings. Te final Phase 2 program of 2027 promotes a new generation of cleaner, more fuel-efficient trucks (and buses) by encouraging the development and deployment of new and advanced cost-effective technologies. Te product of four years of extensive testing and research by the EPA and NHTSA will be efficient for manufacturers in applying technologies such as: combustion system efficiencies; cylinder deactivation; transmission gearing improvements; advanced shift technology (optimized driveline); low friction lubricants; lower resistance tires; idle reduction (stop start technology); weight reduction; electrified accessories (power steering, water pumps, cooling fan, air compressor, alternator); tire pressure monitoring systems; electric power; and hybrid systems. School bus chassis/truck manufacturers will determine which technologies find their way onto school buses as they approach the combustion efficiency compliance threshold, first in 2021 at 7.8 percent, then 12.3 percent for 2024 and the final in 2027 of 16 percent over the 2017 baseline. Type C and D school buses fall into EPA’s category described as Class 6 to 8 “vocational” vehicles, which to- gether with other types, according to the EPA, represent
about 17 percent of the total medium- and heavy-duty fuel consumption. Te new CO2 and fuel consumption efficiency stan-
dards for vocational vehicles start in model year 2021 with increased stringency in model year 2024. By 2027, the fuel consumption efficiency is expected to improve by 16 percent over the 2017 baseline. Te anticipated cost is not always perceived as good news for operators. However, unlike EPA emissions regulations aimed at NOx and diesel particulates in 2007 and 2010, the required improvement is expected to immediately begin to pay for itself in reduced fuel expenses, which costly new technologies developed that negatively impacted reliability and fuel efficiency. Tere are many details to come and some unforeseen market dynamics likely at work over the next nine years that could impact the initial purchase price estimates. EPA puts the cost of equipment at $2,100 for school buses and $1,300 for pickups/vans. EPA and NHTSA have projected the payback for buses to be approximately six years. It is said that those costs would impact the cost of vehicles to vocational fleets mainly during the imple- mentation of the 2021 and 2024 portions of the Phase 2 GHG standards, just three model years away. Manufacturers are now challenged with adapting new technologies to meet the three consumption efficiency targets set by the EPA. Proposed standards are perfor- mance-based so manufacturers choose from a wide range of previously mentioned technologies that work best on their vehicles and customers. My challenge to manufac- turers is to continue research and developmental efforts in fuel-efficient technologies to make them better and better. It’s important to keep in mind that both public and private school bus operators want to do their part to reduce emissions and consume less fuel, but they need to do that in a way that does not affect their budgets or their drivers. ●
Tere are many details to come and some unforeseen
market dynamics likely at work over the next nine years that could impact the initial purchase price estimates.
38 School Transportation News • JULY 2017 CELEBRATING25YEARS
Pudlewski serves as the magazine’s technical editor in addition to being an industry fleet maintenance and technology consultant. With experience spanning more than four
decades, he is a member of the National School Transportation Association Hall of Fame.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
