DOE-Funded Research Contributes to Development of 2007 Emissions-Compliant Truck Technology
May 14, 2004
Caterpillar Inc., showed a 2007 emissions-compliant truck at a May 11 event in Washington D.C. The company demonstrated the truck's performance and emissions monitoring technology to EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt, U.S. Department of Energy Acting Under Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David K. Garman, and other federal officials. The technology was developed under a 50 percent cost-shared research project between Caterpillar Inc., and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program, with the goal to demonstrate 50 percent thermal efficiency and compliance with EPA 2010 emissions standards by 2006.
The on-highway truck, powered by a Caterpillar C-15 engine equipped with breakthrough ACERT®. technology, featured real-time emissions monitoring technology showing the vehicle's ability to meet EPA's 2007 standards. The demonstration took place at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Annual Government/Industry Conference in Washington D.C. Other aspects of the truck display highlighted the accomplishments of the 21st Century Truck Partnership supported by Caterpillar and 15 other corporations, as well as the Departments of Energy, Defense, Transportation, and EPA, to improve the efficiency and safety of commercial and military trucks and buses.
According to Caterpillar Inc., Group President Douglas R. Oberhelman, who will soon assume responsibility for Caterpillar's power systems business, "Today's demonstration reaffirms that Caterpillar is fully on track to meet EPA's 2007 on-highway emissions standards. Cleaner air is important to all of us, and while the 2007 standards are extremely challenging, we're demonstrating that with ACERT technology, we're able to meet the standards and continue providing customers with the cutting-edge and reliable clean air technology they expect and deserve."
"We will provide 2007-compliant prototype engines to truck makers later this year, and the engines will be available for customer evaluation in the mid-2005 timeframe," Oberhelman said. "This aggressive delivery schedule is critical for truck fleets and owner operators who must become comfortable with engine performance and reliability in advance of the 2007 deadline." Caterpillar was the first engine manufacturer to offer clean diesel engines certified to meet EPA's tougher 2004 standards, which require more stringent testing to demonstrate lower emissions over longer periods of time.
ACERT is a differentiated, breakthrough technology that reduces emissions at the point of combustion. All Caterpillar on-highway truck and bus engines now in production are equipped with ACERT technology. The technology is the foundation for the company's entire diesel engine product line, including construction and mining machines and power generation units, enabling the engines to meet future emission regulations.