The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) issued the following statement regarding the California Air Resources Board (CARB) hearing December 12 to consider a rule requiring the retrofit or replacement of existing commercial trucks:

“CARB’s proposed rule to require the modernizing and upgrading of commercial trucks highlights the cost of clean air and difficult choices,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the DTF.    “However this decision comes out, there is no doubt that the advancements made to date in cleaner diesel fuel, engines and emissions control technology are now delivering clean air for Californians, and will do so even more in the future.   The progress made is nothing short of spectacular: it would take 60 of today’s generation diesel big-rig trucks to equal the emissions of a single 1988 model.” http://www.dieselforum.org/uses/freight.  (Editors note:  graphic available).  

Through investment in new clean diesel engines, fleet emissions inspections, using CARB diesel fuel, deploying idle reduction technology and other measures, California truckers are making important contributions to the state’s air quality.  That’s why particulate emissions from diesel engines make up only about 10 percent of all particles in California’s air.   By 2010, brake and tire wear will contribute more fine particles to California’s air that diesel truck and bus engines. (Sierra Research, 2005) http://www.dieselforum.org/news-center/pdfs/Sierra2005.pdf

“Nearly ten years ago, after considering many options, including a ban and phase-out of future diesel engine use, CARB instead recognized the overwhelming importance of diesel technology to California, in moving goods, moving people and providing critical services to Californians,” noted Schaeffer.   In doing so, CARB challenged both industry and users of diesel equipment to bring a new generation of clean diesel engines and fuels to California.

CARB and EPA challenged fuel refiners to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel that eliminated 97 percent of sulfur by September 2006.    Heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers were challenged to develop and produce the lowest emission diesel engines in the world that were 98 percent lower in emissions of nitrogen oxides and fine particles from 2000 levels.  This while maintaining emissions durability of 435,000 miles while still meeting all the performance, economical operation and other customer requirements.

Diesel fuel refiners and engine and truck makers met the challenge.

The first phase of these new generation diesel trucks hit the streets in 2007, and the second generation will debut in 2010 with near zero emissions.  Thanks to these developments, this generation of diesel engines is now emissions-competitive with so-called clean alternative fuels, but at a far lower cost.   For older engines, there are 15 CARB-approved Level 2 and Level 3 retrofit technologies can reduce particulate-matter emissions by more than 85 percent.  The acquisition of these devices are supported by state and federal funding.