This paper compares federal fuel efficiency targets for heavy-duty pickup trucks (8,500 lb or more) of the 2014 to 2018 model years that were adopted in August 2011 with targets for large light-duty pickup trucks (less than 8,500 lb). The findings showed that for light-duty–heavy-duty pairs with similar specifications, the fuel efficiency targets for light-duty trucks by 2018 would be 53% to 64% higher than would the targets for their heavy-duty counterparts. Differences in curb weight and payload explained less than half of the difference in fuel efficiency requirements for the two classes of trucks. The paper compares the efficiency technologies applied in setting the standards and discusses consumer and market implications.
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