On March 23, the American Truck Dealers (ATD) helped to launch the new Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) with four other founding members, including the:
- American Trucking Associations (ATA);
- National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC);
- Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA); and
- Truckload Carriers Association (TCA).
The CFC will serve as the national voice for key trucking industry stakeholders. Comprised of the truck dealers, motor carriers of every size and sector, and the truck manufacturers, the CFC will focus on telling the very positive story of today’s clean and green trucks.
The CFC aims to help promote the facts regarding how clean and green today’s new trucks are and will educate key policy makers on the potential real-world impacts new legislation and regulation could have on both truck dealerships and truck fleets. The coalition will share studies, data, and information to help inform government decisionmakers, particularly with respect to sound public policies that preserve freight transportation affordability and reliability.
The CFC has a compelling story to tell. For example, new trucks sold today emit between 98% and 99% less nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and are much more fuel efficient than new trucks sold in the 1990s. In fact, the emissions from 60 of today’s new trucks equate to those from just one new truck sold in 1988. However, it is concerning that more than half of the Class 4-8 trucks on the road today are over 10 years old, with truck operators holding onto older trucks longer and purchasing used trucks, rather than investing in new equipment with the latest environmental and safety technologies. The CFC aims to promote fleet turnover as the best way to achieve real environmental improvements.
This is just the beginning, and ATD is proud to have a leadership seat at this very important table. The CFC has a lot of very important work ahead as it navigates the ever more complex regulatory and legislative landscape. Stay tuned, as there will be a much more to come.
