trucking

EPA Pushes Back Medium-Duty Truck Emission Rules to 2029

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed delaying strict vehicle emission standards by two years, moving compliance deadlines from model year 2027 to 2029. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the shift addresses consumer demand concerns and manufacturing competitiveness while maintaining environmental protections. Light- and medium-duty vehicles would continue meeting current Tier 3 standards through 2028, which the agency notes achieve up to 80% emission reductions. The delay is projected to save more than $1.7 billion across the industry, with savings of hundreds of dollars per vehicle. Heavy-duty truck manufacturers face separate compliance requirements unaffected by this proposal. The agency indicated the decision reverses 2024 Tier 4 standards established under the previous administration, citing faulty assumptions about electric vehicle adoption rates.