The two categories of mobile sources are on-road and non-road. Of the eight categories of sources, non-road engines and vehicles, on-road light commercial, pickups and heavy-duty trucks contribute 74 percent of emissions, Cars contribute only 18 percent.
Bottom line? There are other mobile sources contributing far greater emissions than cars. In a 2016 Utah Priorities report from the Utah Foundation, Bryce Bird, director of DAQ, noted that there are few easy policy solutions left regarding air quality. “Remaining fruit are higher in the tree,” he said.
No, the fruits are on the roads and at construction sites.
Heavy duty trucks, many of which use diesel fuel, contribute 26 percent of total mobile sources, cars 18 percent. Just as the state has imposed road use fees on electric vehicles (Senate Bill 136), in the next legislative session it is reasonable to require an air quality fee on heavy trucks coming into Utah and operating internally. Let’s not point at car drivers over the higher polluters.
