Exhaust-free by 2007? EPA proposes new emissions targets

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 18, 1999) — New diesel trucks and other vehicles would be virtually exhaust-free beginning in 2007 under proposals announced by the Clinton administration’s top officials and California’s air board chairman.

California Air Resources Board Chairman Alan Lloyd said near-zero emissions trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles are within reach, according to published reports. To meet that goal, Lloyd directed his staff to draft a proposal that would require manufacturers to cut particulates 90% and nitrogen oxides 75% by 2007.

Today, a new diesel truck puts out an average of 4 grams of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 0.10 of a gram of particulates per brake-horsepower hour. New federal rules proposed for the 2004 model year call for a combined oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) standard of 2.4 grams per brake horsepower hour. These rules actually will go into effect in 2002 as a result of a lawsuit settlement between the EPA and engine makers. EPA estimates that these rules would increase the price of a heavy-duty diesel engine by less than $400 US.

The California rules proposed by Lloyd would be 0.5 of a gram or less for NOx, and 0.01 for particulates in 2007. EPA is considering changing national truck standards to the same levels as the state board proposal for 2007. That proposal, expected late this year or early 2000, would include reductions of the sulfur content of highway diesel as well as further NOx reductions.

A public meeting on this proposal will be held Nov. 2 in Philadelphia.

“We’re very confident that the technology will be there by 2007, but [the proposed standard] is dependent on very low sulfur fuel,” said CARB spokesman Jerry Martin. Today’s diesel fuel contains too much sulfur, and would clog catalysts and filters.