Trailer GHG Standards Suspension Extended

Summary#

This Order approves a one‑year extension of a temporary suspension of the trailer greenhouse‑gas rules in the Heavy‑duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations. The suspension keeps those trailer standards off the books in Canada until April 19, 2023 so Canada stays aligned with regulatory uncertainty in the United States.

What it does#

• Approves the Minister’s fourth interim order (issued April 19, 2022) that pauses the trailer‑specific GHG standards in the Heavy‑duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations for up to one year.
• The pause affects trailers whose manufacture was completed on or after January 1, 2020 (the trailers covered by the Regulations).
• The order does not change the rules for heavy vehicles and engines — only the trailer provisions are suspended.
• Officials estimate the suspension will reduce the Regulations’ lifetime GHG savings by about 0.4 megatonnes (Mt) CO2e for model year 2023, and by about 1.6 Mt CO2e when combined across model years 2020–2023.

Who's affected#

• Canadian trailer manufacturers, many of which are small businesses, are the main group affected.
• The trucking industry and companies that manufacture or import heavy‑duty trailers and vehicles for sale in Canada.
• Consumers and fleet operators may be affected indirectly through fuel use and vehicle costs.
• The action is linked to developments involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and U.S. court decisions, because the Canadian rules were designed to match U.S. standards.

Why it matters#

• Short term: Canadian trailer makers avoid the immediate costs of meeting the new trailer standards. That may help small manufacturers stay competitive while the U.S. position is unclear.
• Medium term: Pausing the trailer rules means Canada will miss some fuel‑saving and GHG reductions — the government estimates the loss at 0.4 Mt for model year 2023 and 1.6 Mt across model years 2020–2023.
• The pause is temporary. Environment and Climate Change Canada says it will keep monitoring the U.S. situation and consult with industry before deciding the next steps.