CHERRY HILL, NJ - Even taking into consideration the higher overall acquisition and potential maintenance costs associated with tougher GHG (greenhouse gas) standards for heavy duty trucks, the significant fuel savings these standards will lead to might be good news for the trucking industry, says Jim Sweeney, Vice President of Capital Equipment for AmeriQuest Transportation Services in his blog.

The rules for heavy duty trucking beginning with model year 2019 will take effect immediately following the current GHG standards that are just now phasing in for model year 2014-2018. "The 2014-2018 standards should result in significant savings and benefits over the lifetime of the vehicles and as a whole, could save owners and operators an estimated $50 billion in fuel costs," Sweeney says. "There is no reason to doubt similar benefits will not be generated by the 2019 rules."

Included among the positive features truck manufacturers are incorporating into vehicles so far are:

Development of enhanced engine electronics
- More efficient driveline components to reduce friction
- Idle reduction technologies
- Low-rolling resistance tires and overall weight reduction of trucks and trailers

The blog goes into more detail on the positive equipment developments as well as on the expected costs and savings these standards may spur. To view the entire blog, go to http://blog.ameriquestcorp.com/new-ghg-rules-trucking/

About AmeriQuest Transportation Services
AmeriQuest, headquartered in Cherry Hill, NJ, is a leading provider of comprehensive fleet management services. By leveraging the strength of more than 700,000 vehicles, AmeriQuest delivers savings, expertise, and opportunities to its private fleet and truckload carrier members. AmeriQuest provides supply management services, asset management services, material handling services, financing, technology products, and outsourced transportation management services such as full service leasing, integrated logistics, and contract maintenance. More information can be found at http://www.ameriquestcorp.com/transportation.