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Fuel requirements concern local truck drivers

Aaron Gnagy of Cincinnati fuels a company truck at a truck stop in Monroe on Tuesday. The Obama administration has introduced a plan to increase fuel efficiency of larger, commercial trucks.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier. Aaron Gnagy of Cincinnati fuels a company truck at a truck stop in Monroe on Tuesday. The Obama administration has introduced a plan to increase fuel efficiency of larger, commercial trucks.

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By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer 9:26 PM Tuesday, August 9, 2011

LIBERTY TWP. — The federal government hopes to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in semi-trucks, but area trucking companies are worried new requirements could mean costly equipment upgrades.

The Obama administration on Tuesday said combination tractors — known as big-rigs or semi-trucks — will be required to achieve up to a 20 percent cut in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by model year 2018. The rules are part of the administration’s broader effort to achieve two goals: reduce U.S. dependence on oil and curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Experts say there will likely be some up-front costs in the form of higher truck prices, which are currently around $150,000. But, over time, administration officials said the rules will save $50 billion in fuel costs and a projected 530 million barrels of oil.

“What you’ve got here is a trade off,” said James Brock, professor of economics at Miami University. “It’s going to cost more to raise fuel efficiency of big vehicles, but in return you get better mileage and pay for less fuel.”

These new fuel efficiency standards will spark even more debate between government and industry officials, Brock said.

“If forced to buy new equipment, owner/operators will be out of business,” said Dave Duncan, owner of JD Dispatch in Middletown.

Duncan’s company represents nine local owner/operator trucking companies and dispatches about 20 to 30 trucks daily. He said a reduction of 20 percent would be “virtually impossible” due to regulations on semi-trucks, including weight restrictions. An average semi-truck gets seven miles to the gallon — and uses about 970 gallons per month, he said.

“With the way rates are in this field, the more weight you haul the more money you make,” Duncan said. “But you get less fuel miles the more weight you put on.”

Under new regulations, heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans will be required to achieve up to a 15 percent cut in fuel consumption and emissions by 2018. And “vocational vehicles,” such as delivery trucks, buses, and garbage trucks, will be expected to cut fuel use and emissions by 10 percent by 2018.

“It’s always a positive thing when there’s an increase in fuel economy,” said Cory Chadwick, director of Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services. “As you get better fuel efficiency there are less emissions per mile. These big trucks drive a lot of miles.”

Chadwick said it’s hard to estimate what impact the new regulations will have on air quality, since it’s unknown what new technology manufacturers will use to make more efficient trucks.

Keith Back, garage superintendent for the City of Middletown, said the city’s main focus right now is on budget constraints but they are weighing the pros and cons of alternative fuels such as propane.

“That ball’s in the manufacturer’s court,” Back said. “We all hope we can get to that but it’s costly to go to alternative fuel.”

The American Trucking Association was happy with the efforts made by the federal government to set fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

“While it is too early to know all the potential effects of this rule, we do know it sets us on the path to a future where we depend less on foreign oil, spend less on fuel and contribute less to climate change,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said in a news release.

Carl Burr, operations manager at Clayton Weaver Trucking in Fairfield, said the company spends about $40,000 to $50,000 a week on fuel to fill its 20 trucks. He said the company’s trucks are newer and go through equipment tests to keep up to industry emissions standards.

With the costs associated with more stringent fuel efficiency standards, Burr said he’s afraid more trucking companies will close, especially smaller ones.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or hpoturalski@coxohio.com.

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