At least two B.C. companies could see a boost in sales from plans by federal environment minister Jim Prentice to create tougher emission standards for heavy-duty trucks.
During a speech in Vancouver last Friday in which he announced the new standards, Prentice said the pending regulations align closely with the U.S. He said: “Just like passenger vehicles, manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks operate in an integrated North American market, so a closely-harmonized approach makes sense for them.”
It could mean a lot more business for companies like Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT), which designs natural gas engines, and Chilliwack’s IMW Industries, which makes natural gas fueling infrastructure such as compressors and dispensers.
Darren Seed, Westport’s vice-president of communications, told BIV that 99% of Westport sales are outside of Canada.
The majority is in the U.S. where Westport benefits from tougher emission standards for heavy trucks and incentives for truckers to reduce emissions. A lot of the company’s early traction came from municipal fleets such as garbage trucks, buses and street sweepers.
“If Minister Prentice is saying he is going to emulate the standards in the U.S., that would suggest that a great deal of municipal and fleet heavy-duty vehicles will have to come into compliance," said Seed. “I think there is a great opportunity here for the government to help lower greenhouse gas emissions and to work with a [B.C.] company.”
Shortly after Prentice made his speech, he travelled to Chilliwack to tour IMW Industries’ facility.