Policymakers should ensure that future rules surrounding emissions or engine technologies should take into consideration “a reasonable transition to cleaner equipment,” according to a position paper released by The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in coordination with several AEM member companies.
The paper, “Clean Air and Low Emissions through Next-Gen Nonroad Equipment,” includes recommendations and outlines policy solutions.
“AEM and its members have aggressive sustainability goals that include a desire to improve air quality and reduce the impact of climate change,” John Somers, VP of construction & utility, in a prepared statement. “For decades, manufacturers have invested time, effort, and resources into supporting engine emissions reductions updates. Now, the association and its members want to leverage our considerable experience and expertise to inform regulatory efforts happening both now and in the future.”
AEM engine emission recommendations
- Consider how the cost effectiveness of new requirements will influence the adoption of new products in the marketplace.
- Consider the impact of new regulations on various equipment types, including smaller and low-volume equipment.
- Drive emissions reductions by avoiding overly prescribed regulatory requirements that neglect new processes and technologies that contribute to the whole emissions reduction picture.
- Create purchase incentives for end-users to accelerate the market adoption of new equipment and technology, as well as provide credits to manufacturers for developing new emission reduction technologies.
- Establish regulatory approaches that ensure collaboration in the development of harmonized engine emissions regulations.
- Provide five years of lead time and a regulatory transition program for equipment manufacturers when introducing a new technology-forcing emissions standard.
- Implement technology-neutral, performance-based standards, and avoid overly stringent requirements that will compromise engine capabilities, fuel economy and equipment productivity.
- Set standards that do not require engine system packaging and installation changes in order to avoid costly equipment redesign and impact equipment safety features.
Engine emissions regulations are among the most important and impactful requirements placed on the nonroad equipment sector, according to the group, affecting everything from performance, research and development, design, safety, and cost. The most recent Tier 4 update drove significant equipment changes, including modernized electronic engines and aftertreatment for many power categories.
“The last round of engine emissions regulations taught AEM and equipment manufacturers many valuable lessons, including the inherent cost and complexity of transitioning an entire industry to a new emissions Tier, as well as the value that time and customer feedback can provide manufacturers and regulatory officials,” said Somers. “Based on those lessons, along with its knowledge of the way work is done now and will be done in the future, AEM is well-equipped to take a leadership role in communicating the position of the association and its members regarding future rulemakings.”
For more information on the position paper, contact John Somers at [email protected].
Source: AEM
