Tough new emissions regs slated for trucks & SUVs

Motor, May 2000 by Nash, Tom

President Clinton announced that the EPA will issue final regulations to force the car companies to produce SUVs and light trucks, (including minivans and vans) to meet the same stringent emissions standards as passenger cars. According to the administration and the carmakers, the new emissions standards will raise the cost of trucks and SUVs by $200 to $350 per vehicle. In addition, dieselpowered vehicles will eventually have to meet gasoline-- engine emissions standards.

The regulations will also require oil companies to produce cleaner-burning, low-sulfur fuels. The administration claims that this will boost prices at the pump by about 2 cents per gallon, while the oil companies believe it could be up to 5 cents. Trucks and SUVs will have to meet the same emissions standards as cars by 2009. The cleaner gasoline rules will begin to be phased in by 2004.