New Study Confirms That Today’s Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines Are 90% Cleaner Than Required by EPA’s 2007 Emissions Standards

CHICAGO--In a study released today, the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) reports that a comprehensive emissions testing program of advanced technology heavy-duty diesel engines demonstrates that today’s diesel engines are 99% cleaner than engines produced just a few years ago and that emissions of particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons are 90% lower than regulatory standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The study and report, Phase 1 of the Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES), was conducted under contract to the independent Health Effects Institute and sponsored by a multi-party group of government and industry organizations including the U.S. Department of Energy, U. S. EPA, California Air Resources Board and the Engine Manufacturers Association.

The comprehensive emissions testing completed during the study represents the most rigorous emissions testing of new engines ever undertaken. The study examined the emissions of engines from four different engine manufacturers that were designed to comply with EPA’s stringent 2007 heavy-duty on-highway vehicle emissions standards. Particulate matter emissions from the new engines were 99% lower than PM levels of 2004 technology engines and 90% lower than the 0.01 g/hp-hr standard required by the 2007 emissions standards. Hydrocarbon emissions, including air toxics, were reduced by over 90% as well.

“The CRC report conclusively demonstrates that the years of development effort and investment by engine manufacturers to produce near-zero emissions levels have been successful,” said Jed Mandel, EMA President. “The efforts of engine manufacturers to develop a systems-approach to reduce emissions from diesel-powered trucks and buses using clean fuels, advanced engines and aftertreatment devices have produced results that exceed our initial expectations. The fact that engine emissions not only meet, but are actually an order of magnitude below, EPA’s emissions standards for heavy-duty truck and bus engines is a very significant accomplishment.”

“Diesel engines are the workhorses of the nation’s transportation infrastructure because they are fuel efficient, durable and reliable,” continued Mr. Mandel. “We can now add near-zero emissions to the list of diesel’s positive attributes. The ACES Phase I test results released today clearly show that clean, energy-efficient, and near-zero emission diesel engines and vehicles are a reality today.”