Clean Diesel Technology Helps Meet Current and Any Future Ozone Clean Air Standards

WASHINGTON--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first public hearing on proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone, held in Arlington, VA.

“Today’s clean diesel cars now meet the same emission certification standards as gasoline vehicles while getting 20 to 40 percent better fuel economy.”

“While the merits of reducing the allowable levels of ozone in the atmosphere are now under considerable debate, there is no debate about the progress and importance of clean diesel technology in meeting the nation’s clean air goals,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of DTF, a non-profit group which represents diesel engine, vehicle and equipment makers, fuel refiners and suppliers of engine and emissions control technology.

Clean diesel - the combination of cleaner diesel fuel along with advanced clean-burning diesel engines and emissions control technology - is already at work in key sectors reducing emissions of both particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), an ozone precursor. From 2007 to 2009, new heavy-duty commercial trucks reduced PM levels by over 98 percent, and NOx by about 50 percent. New commercial trucks sold now in 2010 are at near-zero emissions for PM and also for NOx (0.02 grams per brake-horsepower-hour); an additional 50 percent reduction from 2007 levels.

“Low-emissions clean diesel technology is not limited to just new commercial highway trucks,” said Schaeffer. “Today’s clean diesel cars now meet the same emission certification standards as gasoline vehicles while getting 20 to 40 percent better fuel economy.” New construction and farm equipment and marine boats and locomotives are on a pathway to reduce emissions levels of NOx and PM to levels nearly the same as highway vehicles between now and 2014. An important first step occurs June 1, 2010 when off-road machines and equipment begin using ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel; a change first made for highway vehicles in 2006.

Progress in reducing ozone precursors (NOx) is not just limited to new technology. The leaders in clean diesel industry are also attacking the emissions challenge on the other end by demonstrating the ability to modernize and upgrade existing diesel engines and equipment to yield lower NOx and PM. Through replacing some engines with newer models and upgrading existing diesel engine components or adding emissions control devices, everything from school buses to marine work boats and construction equipment can achieve lower emissions; in some cases by as much as 90 percent from original performance levels.

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology, working with policymakers and other stakeholders on common solutions. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems.

For more information, visit www.dieselforum.org.