Manufacturers of diesel engines for highway vehicles faced tough new emissions standards for their products, whose expected compliance costs were revealed to be ten times greater than earlier estimates. This threatened a major economic shock for the industry, as well as reduced environmental effectiveness.

NERA co-authored a report evaluating the cost-effectiveness and impact of the new “pull ahead” emission standards that will apply to heavy-duty diesel engines used in “Class 8” vehicles (long-haul trucks). The analysis included the effects that the regulations would have on both new engine sales and existing vehicle scrappage rates and determined the average emissions levels expected from the fleet as a whole.

The client was able to present economic analysis as part of its legal filings.