OTTAWA, Ont. – Canada is officially rolling out the second phase of rules to control greenhouse gases from heavy vehicles – largely aligning with rules that were introduced last year in the U.S. But some allowances have been made for equipment with heavier gross vehicle weights.

“The additional tractor weight categories contained in this regulation is a welcome inclusion and acknowledges the specific Canadian operating weights and the benefits from a fleet efficiency standpoint that has evolved in Canadian industry over the past 40 or so years,” says Stephen Laskowski, CEO and president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA).

Phase II Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations have now been published in Canada Gazette Part 2, finalizing the rules for trucks, engines and trailers. In the case of trailers, that reflects changes such as aerodynamic devices, low rolling resistance tires, lightweight components, and systems to monitor and inflate tires.

The latest rules begin to apply to 2021 Model Year trucks and engines, and will affect trailers produced after Jan. 1, 2020. The limits gradually tighten into the 2027 Model Year.

The CTA says it will continue to work with Environment and Climate Change Canada around the applicability of a “limp mode”, the warranties for emissions-related equipment, and ensuring that future equipment is tested prior to being required in Canada.

The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, meanwhile, is voicing its displeasure about an exemption that allows the makers of under 200 vehicles to skirt the regulations and import the equipment into Canada. “We also have concerns about allowing a manufacturer to reclassify up to 5250 vocational tractors to the standard that applies for a vocational vehicle,” says president Mike Millian. “If the true reason for these regulations is to reduce harmful emissions and reduce our carbon footprint, there should be no reason to provide exemptions that allow manufacturers to produce equipment that is not in compliance with the standard.”

• The original version of this story has been updated to include comments from the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada.