SmartWay

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the SmartWaySM program in 2004 as a voluntary, public-private partnership with the freight industry which focused on reducing emissions, improving fuel economy, and increasing energy efficiency, while also saving money for participating companies. Due to the program's success, EPA has expanded the program into a comprehensive initiative which now includes the following major elements:

SmartWay Certified Vehicles: Focuses on passenger cars and trucks
SmartWay Financing: Assists owners and operators with purchases of qualifying technologies
SmartWay Tractors and Trailers: Certifies original manufacturer vehicles and equipment
SmartWay Transport: Promotes strategies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and improve energy efficiency among the freight industry; recognizes partner companies as industry leaders

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) joined the SmartWay Transport Program as an Affiliate in October 2006. In this role, NCTCOG promotes the initiative within the region and provides education and outreach to potential partners and affected industries. Current projects include the following:

SmartWay Upgrade Kit Demonstration Project: This project evaluated the effectiveness of advanced technologies in increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles. NCTCOG completed a final report on the results of this project in August 2009.
SmartWay for Consumers Outreach [PDF]: Through the AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine Program, NCTCOG is educating participating dealerships about passenger vehicles which have earned the SmartWay designation from EPA.
SmartWay Upgrade Kit Project: NCTCOG received approximately $1.5 Million in grant funds made available by EPA under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Seven partner companies will use these funds to purchase and install approved SmartWay technologies on long-haul trucks operating primarily in EPA Region 6.

Click here to be added to a SmartWay e-mail list to get updates and additional information about the program!

Companies who are interested in joining the SmartWay Transport Partnership should click here to learn more about becoming a Partner. If you have any questions or comments regarding the SmartWay activities at the NCTCOG, please contact Lori Pampell at 817-695-9232 or at lpampell@nctcog.org.

For more information, please review the links below: