The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) plan new rules to cut carbon emissions from trucks and to reduce alleged global warming trends.

"We're delivering big time on President Obama's call to cut carbon pollution," said EPA administrator Gina McCarthy.

"With emission reductions weighing in at one billion tonnes, this proposal will save consumers, businesses and truck owners money; and at the same time spur technology innovation and job-growth," she said.

The standards are expected to lower CO2 emissions by one billion tonnes, cut fuel costs by US$170 billion, cut oil consumption up to 1.8 billion barrels over the lifetime of the vehicles sold under the programme.

"When trucks use less fuel, shipping costs go down. It's good news all around, especially for anyone with an online shopping habit," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.