Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks are the first truck manufacturers to receive certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that their heavy-duty diesel engines meet the new emissions regulations taking effect in January 2010. The EPA10 requirements are the most stringent in the world, reducing both particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to near zero levels.
Based on prescribed testing conducted by the manufacturers and submitted to the EPA, certification is the last step in a long development process and is required for all diesels built after Jan. 1. Most, if not all diesel manufacturers are expected to obtain EPA10 certification for their engines by the beginning of the new year.
The Volvo D11 and D13, and Mack MP7 and MP8 are 11- and 13-liter diesels built at the Volvo Group’s powertrain plant in Hagerstown, MD. They use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment technology to reduce NOx and retain a diesel particulate filter (DPF) from current versions to bring PM down to required levels.
“EPA’s certification of these engines is a crucial milestone in Volvo’s journey to producing the cleanest diesel engines in the world,” said Scott Kress, sr. VP – sales & marketing. “We are already building EPA10 trucks and are fully on track for large-scale production next year, which will help make the air cleaner, use fuel more efficiently and save money for our customers.”
“The new Mack engines are so clean that in some areas, the exhaust leaving our trucks will be cleaner than the air going in,” said Kevin Flaherty, Mack sr. VP. “Our EPA’10 engines also have significantly improved fuel economy. Using less fuel shrinks the trucks’ carbon footprint, reduces operating costs for customers and cuts the need for imported oil.”
