SM How to Verify Components for 

SmartWay Tractors and Trailers

 

U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency Certified SmartWay tractors and trailers are a new generation of long-haul rigs equipped 

with cleaner, fuel-saving 

features. SmartWay tractors and 

trailers can achieve fuel savings 

of 10 to 20 percent (saving carriers between 1,700 and 3,300 

gallons of diesel fuel annually), 

lower greenhouse-gas emissions, 

and significantly reduce oxides of 

nitrogen, particulate matter, and 

other air pollutants. 

This document describes how to 

verify components for SmartWay 

using the SAE J1321 test procedure.

EPA SmartWay Interim Test Method

The EPA SmartWay interim test method assesses the fuel consumption 

impact of fuel-saving truck components to determine eligibility for inclusion 

in SmartWay. 

SmartWay Specification

SmartWay is a service mark of the US EPA, 

designating the cleanest, most fuel efficient 

passenger vehicles. For commercial trucks, 

the SmartWay specification is currently available only for class 8 

combination tractor-trailer trucks used in line haul service. These trucks 

typically use the most fuel of any type of heavy duty truck, because they 

drive the longest distances. 

SmartWay Tractor-Trailer Designation

EPA, working with its SmartWay partners, 

identified a suite of vehicle designs and equipment that, taken together, can reduce the fuel 

consumption of a class 8 line haul combination 

tractor-trailer truck by 10% - 20%, relative to a 

truck not equipped with these features. Tractors 

and trailers equipped with these specifications and 

new cleaner engines are eligible to be designated as “SmartWay.” 

Components and features that make up a SmartWay truck are not 

“SmartWay” since the SmartWay designation applies only to vehicles. 

However, components including aerodynamic trailer fairings can be 

evaluated to verify that the fuel savings meets the requirements of the 

SmartWay tractor-trailer specification. 

Existing Test Methods

Existing fuel economy test methods for evaluating truck components do 

not specify test route or conditions. For the purposes of SmartWay, this 

interim test procedure modifies a well-accepted industry test, the Joint 

TMC/SAE Fuel Consumption Test Procedure – Type II (SAE J1321 

Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice (October, 1986), with provisions 

that ensure the results apply to equipment used on the type of truck 

covered by the current SmartWay designation: a class 8 combination 

tractor-trailer truck. 

Components Evaluated by This Method

For SmartWay purposes, this interim test method is intended to evaluate 

equipment for class 8 tractors and dry van trailers. EPA is developing a 

US EPACertified 

Summary of SmartWay 

Tractor & Trailer 

Program

 Tractor

US EPACertified ®

 Trailer

US EPACertified ®

SmartWay Transport | EPA-420-F-09-044 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov
more comprehensive truck emissions test which, when 

completed, will supersede the interim method. A draft of 

this more comprehensive truck emissions test, entitled 

the SmartWay Fuel Efficiency Test Protocol for Mediumand Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Working Draft (420-P-07-003), 

is available at:

http://www.epa.gov/SmartwayLogistics/transport//documents/tech/420p07003.pdf

EPA’s more comprehensive truck emissions test, when 

complete, will potentially cover a wider range of truck 

types, applications and components. 

Testing Costs

The manufacturer bears all test costs. 

EPA SmartWay Requirements

EPA needs a copy of the test results and a statement 

from the product manufacturer and the test facility that it 

was a valid SAE J1321 test, and that the additional provisions required by EPA were met. EPA reserves the right 

to review all original test data and test reports, including records of ambient weather conditions. EPA further 

reserves the right to determine that the test was valid – 

e.g., conducted properly, by a credible test facility, in accordance with all the stated requirements, and consistent 

with good engineering judgment.

Contact EPA

Interested organizations should contact SmartWay prior 

to testing. 

To contact EPA, 

• send an e-mail to: SmartWay-tech@epa.gov

• telephone the SmartWay Transport Partnership Call 

Center at (734) 214-4767

• write to SmartWay Transport Partnership, US EPA, 

2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. 

If you have questions regarding SmartWay Certified 

Tractors and Trailers or SmartWay verified technologies, 

contact the SmartWay Technology Team at: 

SmartWay-tech@epa.gov.

SmartWay Transport | EPA-420-F-09-044 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov