• 2010: Not a tech odyssey

    Meeting EPA's emissions standards for 2010 won't be easy, but it's not as complicated as many fleets fear and it may even boost fuel economy.
    April 1, 2007
    2 min read

    Meeting EPA's emissions standards for 2010 won't be easy, but it's not as complicated as many fleets fear — and it may even boost fuel economy.

    According to Ed Saxman, product manager-drivetrain for Volvo Trucks North America, speaking at an engine makers panel at a PHH FirstFleet conference in Ft. Lauderdale, “We're going to be using the same engine designs and DPFs in use now to meet the '07 levels.”

    Volvo plans to add an SCR [selective catalytic reduction] system to reduce NOx emissions. “While it's still premature to talk about costs — more sensors and hardware will be required — it isn't complicated. We're already using it on many of our engines in Europe,” he added.

    Saxman said SCR works by injecting a mist of urea (34% ammonia, 66% water) into the truck's exhaust stream to convert NOx emissions to water vapor. He said the entire SCR system, including the wiring, hoses and urea container, wouldn't be much larger than current DPFs.

    “We don't need a huge amount of urea,” said Tim Tindall, director of component sales for Detroit Diesel Corp. “For every 100 gallons of diesel fuel, you'll only need [about] one gallon of urea.” DDC anticipates using a four- or five-gal. urea tank, which would add about 50 or 60 lb. to the truck. He expects 2.6-liter bottles of urea to be sold in truckstops so drivers can keep the tanks topped off.

    “You can tune [SCR] to handle higher emissions of NOx easily, meaning you can relax the NOx controls on the engine [and let] NOx get cleaned up in the exhaust stream,” Saxman explained. “Right now, we're looking at up to a 5% increase in fuel economy by using SCR.”

    About the Author

    Sean Kilcarr

    Editor in Chief

    Sean Kilcarr is a former longtime FleetOwner senior editor who wrote for the publication from 2000 to 2018. He served as editor-in-chief from 2017 to 2018.

     

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

    Sign up for our free eNewsletters

    Latest from Equipment

    Clarios
    Clarios plans U.S. supercapacitor production campus to revolutionize energy storage solutions
    Clarios is assessing site options across the states where it operates and expects to announce a location later this calendar year.
    Jeremy Wolfe | FleetOwner
    natural gas combustion engine
    With several alternative powertrains in heavy-duty trucking today, how are major engine manufacturers adjusting? Derek Kiesler, Cummins' director for North America on-highway ...
    Sysco
    primary
    Here are the 10 private fleet operations with the most trailers, according to the 2025 FleetOwner 500: Private list.