APGA on amendments to the Alternative Fuel Rule

On August 17^th the APGE submitted comments in response to the ‘Proposed Amendments to the Alternative Fuel Rule’ made by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The APGA are generally supportive of the changes to the Alternative Fuel Rule, however, further alterations to the consolidated label is required to ensure that natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are treated fairly by the rule.

The proposed changes would consolidate the labelling requirements for the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Requiring companies to implement multiple labelling requirements from several separate agencies including the FTC is inefficient, costly and duplicative. The APGA have therefore proposed that all labels be consolidated into one.

The APGA is supportive of the discussed change and others in the proposed amendments; however, it is concerned that the proposed amendments to the Alternative Fuel Rule will treat NGVs inequitably. At present, the consolidated label focuses only on the tail pipe emissions for AFVs. This exclusive focus on tailpipe emissions gives consumers inaccurate and misleading information about Electric Vehicles (EVs) to the detriment of NGVs and all other AFVs.

Of more specific concern is that consumers examining the proposed consolidated label may be given the impression that EVs produce no emissions whatsoever. In reality, the majority of electric generation in the US is fossil fuel generated, meaning that it is highly likely that EVs will have upstream emissions.

Adapted from press release by Claira Lloyd.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/28082012/alternative_fuels_rule_amendments_191/