OTTAWA, Ont. — On the heels of yesterday’s historic announcement by US President Barack Obama that set fuel economy standards for heavy vehicles, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is calling on Ottawa to go a step further north of the border.

Canadian officials yesterday released a consultation document regarding what will be a very similar set of rules to what the US is introducing.

The CTA, however, points out the fuel economy standards being introduced affect only new vehicles, which are already very clean.

The Alliance would like to see measures to accelerate the penetration of new EPA2010-compliant tractors into the marketplace and incentives to retrofit older vehicles with fuel-saving technologies.

“We are still sifting through the mounds of material issued yesterday in the US and in Canada by the Environment Minister,” said CTA CEO David Bradley.  “Obviously we will need some time to digest all of the details and discuss them with our members. But my initial reaction is that a regulatory approach which focuses on the truck and tractor, while positive, still leaves opportunities on the table.”

Bradley pointed out the CTA’s enviroTruck concept should be embraced by lawmakers. The enviroTruck focuses on fuel-saving technologies for the truck and trailer, including low rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic fairings.

“We believe with the right incentives in place, the industry can move forward quickly to adopt these devices well before the government turns its attention in this direction,” Bradley said.