Now that 2007 mandates
for diesel engines have been
fully-implemented, the Environmental
Protection Agency
(EPA) is gearing up to enforce
new diesel exhaust regulations
that take effect in 2010.
The new regulations will dramatically
reduce discharges
of both particulate matter
(soot and ash), hydrocarbons
and nitrogen oxide (NOx).
EPA’s goal for 2010 is to
reduce NOx emissions to 0.2
grams per brake horse power hour,
or about 90% of pre-
2004 levels.
Meeting the
reduced pollutant standards
has required a change in
diesel fuel to ultra-low sulfur
diesel fuel (ULSD), a cleaner burning
fuel that produces
less particulate emissions
from combustion. The standards
have also required a
reformulation of engine oils,
called CJ-4 or low-ash oils,
which are designed with better
wear protection, higher oxidation
protection and better soot
handling characteristics.
In addition, manufacturers
are making engine modifications
for cleaner combustion
and adding exhaust after treatment
(EGA) devices to remove
pollutants from exhaust
gases after they leave the
engine’s combustion chamber.
These include selective
catalytic reduction (SCR) and
exhaust gas recirculation
(EGR) technologies to control
NOx emissions, as well as
diesel particulate filter technology
to handle particulate
matter emissions.
SCR is a system that works
by a chemical reaction triggered
by heat. It treats the
downstream exhaust by injecting
a fine mist of diesel exhaust
fluid (DEF) into the exhaust
gas. DEF, also known as urea,
is an organic compound that is
harmless to the environment
and commonly distributed for
a wide range of industrial and
agricultural purposes. Consumption
of urea varies but a
common rule of thumb is that 1
gallon of urea will take a truck
about 250 miles.
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Both EGR and SCR are
proven technologies that have
been used in a wide range of
applications around the world
to meet emission requirements
for diesel-powered commercial
vehicles. An article published
in June 2009 in Light
& Medium Truck magazine,
states that “Most light-duty
and medium-duty commercial
trucks will use SCR to control
diesel emissions…. (and)
SCR-equipped trucks also
will require some training for
drivers and technicians.”
According to the EPA, reducing
emissions from diesel
engines is one of the most
important air quality challenges
facing the nation today.
As a
result, as part of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009, which includes
$300 million to support clean
diesel activities, the EPA has
awarded $86.5 million for clean
diesel activities to 49 states
and the District of Columbia
through its National Clean
Diesel Campaign.
Truck and engine manufacturers
that have announced
that they will offer SCR to meet
EPA 2010 diesel emissions
standards include: Daimler
Trucks North America (Freightliner,
Western Star), Detroit
Diesel Corporation, Cummins
Engines, Volvo Trucks North
America (Volvo, Mack) and
PACCAR (Peterbilt, Kenworth).
Light and medium duty
truck and equipment producers
planning to use SCR for 2010
include Hino Motors and Isuzu.
Passenger vehicles including
Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Jeep,
Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mini
and Volkswagen currently
offer SCR emission control
technologies.
For some businesses,
making a choice between
diesel and gasoline engines
continues to be a challenge.
Benefits of gasoline engines
include lower cost, better
access and lower price fuel,
quieter operations, easier
maintenance and faster cab
heater warm-up.
On the other
hand, diesel engines have
advantages such as better
fuel economy, greater warranty
period coverage and
higher resale value, as well
as fewer tune-ups and longer
maintenance intervals.
While there clearly are positive
and negative attributes of
each engine, the most important
consideration is to analyze
how vehicles will be used.
Kelly Hiner is Group Sales
Manager for Enterprise Fleet
Management in New York
and can be contacted at 973-
709-2499. Kelly is supported
by an experienced team of
veteran mechanics and accredited
Automotive Service
Excellence (ASE) technicians
to serve the fleet maintenance
needs of businesses with
mid-size fleets. In addition
to maintenance management
programs, Enterprise’s services
include vehicle acquisition,
fuel management and
insurance programs, as well
as vehicle registration, reporting
and remarketing. Visit the
company’s web site at www.enterprisefleet.com or call toll
free 1-877-23-FLEET.
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