New emission rules for heavy trucks in works Draft of regulations expected for late fall, will take effect with 2014 models

Canada is on schedule for developing new emissions standards for heavy trucks, although the draft regulations will not be ready until later this year, the environment minister said Friday.

Canada and the United States both unveiled plans on Friday to set efficiency targets for heavy-duty vehicles ranging from large-sized pickup trucks to tractor trailers used in long-distance hauling.

The federal government expects to release draft regulations this fall that will spell out the requirements for heavy-duty vehicles and engines, starting between the 2014 and 2018 model years, Environment Minister Jim Prentice told reporters.

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Environmentalists have accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government of lagging behind other countries in developing programs to fight climate change.

"Again, it's just rubber-stamping what the Americans are doing," said John Bennett, executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada, adding that the rules were something the government could have pursued two or three years ago.