Clean diesel technology is being adopted by medium and heavy-duty truck drivers at an unprecedented rate.
According to the Diesel Technology Forum, 42.1% of Class 3-8 diesel trucks that are Model Year 2007 or newer (9.5 million trucks in operation meet this description) are now equipped with new clean diesel engines.
Just last year, only 37% of trucks had clean diesel engines. The most significant factor in this striking 5.1% increase is likely the fact that, starting in 2007, all heavy-duty trucks (Class 7 – 8) sold had to meet particulate emissions levels of 0.01 or fewer grams per brake horse-power hour (g/HP-hr).
“This newest generation of clean diesel trucks have nitrogen oxides emissions that are 99 percent lower than previous generations along with 98 percent fewer emissions of particulate matter,” said Diesel Technology Forum Executive Director Allen Schaeffer.
But this isn’t just about meeting regulatory standards. There’s a financial incentive for drivers to switch to clean diesel as well, as these new technologies provide significant savings on fuel expenses.
In Utah, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, over 50% of registered trucks use clean diesel engines. Oregon hasn’t hit the 50% mark yet, but the state did see a 35% increase in newer diesel truck registrations from 2014 to 2015.
California, despite it’s liberal, environmentally-conscious reputation, has one of the lowest rates of clean diesel-using truck drivers.
How Clean Diesel Engines Work
The new clean diesel system uses state-of-the-art fuel-injection and turbocharging techniques combined with advanced emissions controls and after-treatment technologies such as particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. These engines run on ultra-low sulfur fuel.
In addition to saving drivers money on fuel, the transition to newer diesel engines reduces the level of greenhouse gases and provides all Americans with cleaner air and a safer place to live.
What do you think about the increasing popularity of clean diesel engines? Let us know in the comments section below.
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