EPA helps West Coast fleets save on fuel

Small-to-medium fleets in Oregon, California, and Washington with routes along the I-5 corridor may be eligible to be among the 400 trucks the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to upgrade with fuel-saving and anti-pollution technologies.

EPA has partnered with the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Oregon's transportation and energy departments, and Cascade Sierra Solutions to make its SmartWay upgrade kits available for long-haul trucks. The kits typically include engine idle reduction technology, low rolling resistance tires, improved aerodynamics and exhaust after-treatment devices.

SmartWay upgrade kits can also reduce fuel consumption, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions by as much as 20%, EPA said.

"The freight industry drives America's economy, and through EPA's SmartWay program, truckers are keeping more money in their pockets while helping us all breathe a little easier," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/smartway