While fleets are still trying to understand the operating ramifications of the October 2002 emissions regulations, truck makers have turned their focus to 2007 and the next clean-air hurdle for diesels.
Fleets are gaining more confidence in the cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology as they put miles on the new '02 engines, although they are reporting a consistent 3% to 5% decrease in fuel economy, says Nick Panza, general manager of Peterbilt Motors. Carriers “running heavy and fast” are actually seeing little, if any, difference in MPG, he says.
“We're much more concerned about '07,” says Rainer Schmueckle, president and chief executive officer of Freightliner LLC. “This time ('02), the problem was a timing issue. The next time, it will be a technology issue.”
The potential fly in the ointment revolves around an exhaust aftertreatment technology called selective catalytic reduction (SCR), which injects urea or ammonia into the exhaust stream. European engine makers have already decided to use SCR to meet their next emissions cut in 2005, but the United States Environmental Protection Agency has expressed doubts about the system. It requires a new infrastructure to distribute urea, and if trucks do not refill urea holding tanks, engine emissions will climb drastically.
“SCR is not the only avenue to meeting '07,” says Paul Vikner, president and CEO of Mack Trucks. “But we need to apply science to the issue, not speculation, and at a pace that allows us to make a smooth transition.” The issue is especially crucial for Mack since with its parent, Volvo Trucks of North America, it plans to introduce an entirely new family of engines in the same timeframe.
International is also “confident and comfortable with the various proposed technology solutions, but we need to settle early with EPA on the technology path,” says Steve Keate, president of International's truck group. “We've already started working with industry associations to do just that.”
It's important that EPA at least consider SCR as a potential approach, says Schmueckle, since both European and American emissions standards essentially converge in 2010, and different approaches could prove unnecessarily costly.
“We can do it without SCR, but we also believe it is the technology with the most (emissions reduction) potential,” he says. “But no matter what path we choose, the industry needs to have an answer by the end of the year so we can make the transition properly.”