Heavy Vehicle Sector Focuses on Sustainability

The Mexican industry association representing heavy vehicle producers and dealers has announced different strategies toward empowering truck-owners while focusing on reducing the sector’s environmental impact. "As a part of the heavy vehicle sector, we can contribute to improving the environment in Mexico. To reduce emissions you need cleaner, newer and more efficient vehicles and there is where our sectors invest heavily to develop new technologies," said Miguel Elizalde, president of ANPACT on a LinkedIn Video.

The heavy vehicle sector in Mexico is under pressure as new norms for vehicle emission standards are expected to enter into force by the end of 2021. On an earlier interview with MBN, ANPACT’s President Miguel Elizalde explained that NOM-044, which addresses Euro and EPA standards, is strongly linked with NOM-016, which regulates petroleum products, including diesel and gasoline. "Mexico is among the few countries in the world that uses both Euro and EPA environmental standards, which creates a greater and better offering in the market.”

"In 2018, Mexico had Euro IV/EPA 04 technologies and NOM-016 ruled that the country was supposed to have ultra-low sulfur diesel by the end of 2018. Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) took this as a reference to establish NOM-044 that implied that by mid-2019, only Euro V/EPA 07 vehicle imports or local manufacturing for the domestic market would be allowed. However, PEMEX asked for an extension to comply with NOM-016 and ultra-low sulfur diesel production," Elizalde said at the time.

With the delay on ultra-low sulfur diesel availability, an extension for NOM-044 was granted and Euro V/EPA 07 vehicles will continue to be imported or produced locally until the end of 2021. Ultra-low sulfur diesel is essential for Euro VI and EPA 10 models as they are specifically designed to use those types of fuel. On a recent dialogue with leading legislative candidates from different parties, ANPACT addressed the issue of NOM-044. During the online conversation candidates heard the concerns while agreeing on the need to promote heavy and light vehicle electrification as well as to promote financing for small business owners.

"We are just in the first stages of the economy recovery. Heavy vehicle sales up to date are 29 percent below pre-pandemic figures. Additionally, the import of used vehicles grew 31 percent this year. This is where we can support transportation companies to recover. We ought to renew our fleet sustainably and continuing reducing emissions with the EURO V/EPA 7 technologies," said Elizalde on Linkedin.