Rolling Smokestacks

The report argues that while diesel trucks and buses are essential for commerce, they are disproportionate sources of smog, soot, and greenhouse gases. It evaluates a transition from conventional diesel to a 'green truck path' involving advanced exhaust controls, natural gas, hybrids, and fuel cells. The authors model a 2030 scenario where aggressive policies could reduce pollutant emissions by over 90% and global warming pollutants by 26%, while maintaining current oil consumption levels despite doubling truck travel.

• Diesel trucks and buses contribute disproportionately to highway pollution; despite accounting for under 6% of miles driven, they produce one-quarter of smog-causing pollution and over half of the soot from all highway vehicles.
• Diesel exhaust is linked to significant public health risks, including respiratory diseases and cancer. In the Los Angeles region, diesel particles are estimated to account for 71% of the total cancer risk.
• Heavy trucks contribute approximately 6% of total US carbon emissions, releasing nearly 400 million metric tons of heat-trapping gases annually.
• To meet proposed 2007 EPA standards, diesel trucks will require a combination of engine improvements, exhaust-control technologies (such as particulate traps and selective catalytic reduction), and a 97% reduction in diesel fuel sulfur levels to a maximum of 15 ppm.
• Natural gas vehicles are currently the cleanest commercial option, with real-world particulate emissions 80% to 90% lower than diesel and smog-forming emissions reduced by as much as 40%.
• Hydrogen fuel cells are identified as the ultimate long-term solution for urban transit and delivery vehicles because they are zero-emission at the tailpipe and can be twice as efficient as diesel vehicles.
• The report's 2030 'green scenario' estimates that aggressive policies could prevent the emission of 250,000 tons of toxic soot, reduce global warming pollutants by 26%, and cut oil use by 45% compared to a business-as-usual case.
• The effectiveness of new pollution controls is threatened by 'defeat devices' and natural deterioration. If future trucks deteriorate at twice historic rates, particulate emission reductions by 2030 would drop from over 90% to only 56%.

APA

MARK, J., & MOREY, C. (2000). Rolling Smokestacks. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/rolling_smokestacks.pdf

Chicago

MARK, JASON, and CANDACE MOREY. Rolling Smokestacks. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2000. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/rolling_smokestacks.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=MARK |first1=JASON |last2=MOREY |first2=CANDACE |title=Rolling Smokestacks |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=October 2000 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/rolling_smokestacks.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mark2000rolling, author = {MARK, JASON and MOREY, CANDACE}, title = {{Rolling Smokestacks}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2000}, month = oct, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/rolling_smokestacks.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }