New Federal Regulations Bring More Stringent Standards For Heavy Vehicles And Engines

The Government of Canada has adopted new regulations reinforcing greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles and engines. These regulations, the Regulations Amending the Heavy-duty Vehicle and Engines Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations and Other Regulations Made Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 ("Regulations"), will come into force in November 2018.

The Regulations introduce more stringent GHG emission standards that begin with the 2021 model year for on-road heavy-duty vehicles and engines. These vehicles are generally defined as on-road vehicles weighing more then 3 856 Kg, or having a basic frontal area of more then 4.2m², and the engines designed to power such vehicles. In practice, this definition includes most commercial trucks, buses, and school buses, but excludes passenger vehicles designed to carry 15 passengers or fewer. Further, the amendments introduce new GHG emissions standards that apply to trailers