Leading Engine and Truck Makers Demonstrate Readiness to Deliver Clean Diesel
Exhaust From New Diesel Trucks so Clean It Passes the 'White Handkerchief Test'
WASHINGTON, May 8 -- "We're ready" was the message echoed today by all six leading diesel engine and truck manufacturers, as they declared themselves on-track to deliver the next generation of clean diesel technology beginning in January 2007. Outside the Washington headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency, top industry executives today displayed these new generation trucks for EPA officials, environmental leaders and trucking representatives at an event hosted by the Diesel Technology Forum.
"We are using white handkerchiefs to demonstrate that the exhaust from these six clean diesel trucks contains no smoke or visible soot," explained Allen Schaeffer, DTF's executive director. "Diesel engines are cleaner than ever before, and in the next few years, the industry will virtually eliminate key emissions once associated with on- and off-road diesel equipment." Representatives from Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, International Truck and Engine, Mack and Volvo participated in today's technology demonstration and declaration of readiness.
Diesel's environmental progress is the result of the advanced clean diesel system -- combining cleaner fuel, state-of-the-art engines and effective exhaust-control technology. By October 2006, clean diesel fuel -- containing 97 percent less sulfur than today's diesel -- will be available nationwide. This new fuel is important because sulfur tends to clog exhaust-control devices in diesel engines, like lead once clogged the catalytic converters on gasoline cars. Just as taking the lead out of gasoline in the 1970s enabled a new generation of emissions control technologies that have made gasoline vehicles over 95 percent cleaner, so will removing the sulfur from diesel help usher in a new generation of clean diesel technology ultimately across all applications.
"New trucks and buses will be the first class of equipment to benefit from clean diesel," continued Schaeffer. "While today's trucks and buses already produce only one-eighth the tailpipe exhaust compared to those built in 1990, new engines will be even cleaner. It will take 60 trucks built in 2007 to equal the soot emissions of one truck sold in 1988."
Government officials and representatives from the environmental community confirmed that clean diesel will play a leading role in helping cities and states meet strict new air quality goals set by the federal government. The EPA predicts that these new trucks -- once they fully replace the existing fleet -- will reduce emissions of smog-forming gases by 2.6 million tons each year and cut soot emissions by 110,000 tons annually.
"These clean diesel trucks are the backbone of our economy powering the most low-cost and efficient distribution of goods and movement of people in the world," declared Schaeffer. "They're delivering fresh produce from coast to coast, powering the nation's school and transit buses, hauling bulk products like sand and gravel, picking up wastes for recycling, and powering emergency fire and rescue equipment."
While clean diesel will first arrive on new trucks and buses in 2007, many other diesel vehicles and equipment will soon benefit from this environmental technology, including:
* Cars, Pickups and SUVs -- By 2009, both gasoline and diesel cars,
pickups and SUVs -- regardless of fuel type and engine size -- will
meet the same stringent emissions standards. In the coming years,
consumers can expect to see more diesel options in showrooms and will
ultimately benefit from diesel's greater fuel efficiency (typically
20 to 40 percent more miles per gallon than a comparable gasoline
version).
* Construction Machines and Farm Equipment -- Emissions reductions on
the same magnitude as those occurring for trucks and buses in 2007
will be phased in for off-road construction and agricultural
equipment later this decade.
* The Existing Fleet -- Many of the same clean diesel technologies
developed for new engines can be applied to some older vehicles and
equipment. The nationwide availability of ultra-low sulfur fuel will
help expand opportunities for these clean diesel retrofits.
Representatives from the environmental and trucking communities, as well as executives from the six participating companies, made the following remarks during today's demonstration:
Richard Kassel
Clean Fuels and Vehicles Project Director, Natural Resources Defense Council
Cleaner diesel engines will mean cleaner air for the millions of Americans who continue to breathe polluted air. Just as unleaded gasoline was the key to cleaner cars twenty years ago, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel is the key to cleaner diesels today.
Governor Bill Graves President and CEO, American Trucking Associations
The men and women who work for our motor carriers are as dedicated as any Americans to assuring clean air and clean water for our country. Our adoption of the new 2007 technology trucks reflects that commitment.
Douglas Oberhelman Group President, Caterpillar
Caterpillar has invested more than $1 billion in clean diesel technology in recent years. In addition, our customers have already logged more than 2 million miles on 2007-compliant engines, demonstrating our absolute readiness to meet the 2007 emissions standards.
Ed Pence
Vice President and General Manager, Heavy-Duty Engine Business, Cummins Inc.
Cummins is pleased to demonstrate our readiness for the '07 EPA emission standard and our commitment to a cleaner environment. Cummins was the first engine manufacturer to certify engines compliant to the October, 2002 emission standard, and all of Cummins 2007 engines will be fully compliant with the new standard, running on the new ultra low sulfur diesel fuel.
Glenn Lysinger Chief Compliance Officer, NAFTA Powertrain, Detroit Diesel Corporation
We're definitely ready for EPA '07. Detroit Diesel has been working on not just meeting the new emissions standards, but enhancing our three engines set to launch next January. Our engines have been through rigorous testing in our test cells and in real-world applications. We have been working on redeveloping these engines since 2003 and are confident they will meet the high expectations of our customers.
Patrick Charbonneau
Vice President of Government Relations, International Truck and Engine Corp.
We believe that the 2007 clean diesel engines, trucks and school buses are going to help change the way people see diesel.
Steve Homcha Executive Vice President, Class 8 Programs, Mack Trucks, Inc.
Reducing the environmental impact of the products we produce is very important to Mack. We want clean air for our families and loved ones just like everyone else. So we take a lot of pride in the investments we've made to reduce the emissions of our engines.
Scott Kress Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Volvo Trucks North America
We recognize more than just the need to meet government regulations. We owe it to our children and our grandchildren to deliver the cleanest engines possible. And Volvo is ready to do so -- again.
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean diesel technologies. Forum members include engine and vehicle manufacturers, diesel fuel refiners, and manufacturers of emissions control devices. For more information about the Forum, visit our web site at http://www.dieselforum.org/.
