Mack, Volvo to expand EGR for ’07

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (Jan. 29, 2004) — Mack Trucks and parent company Volvo Trucks North America, both announced they will use exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology and diesel particulate filters (DPF) to meet stringent new U.S. diesel emissions regulations taking effect in 2007.

Mack said the decision to concentrate on EGR for its 2007 engines reflects its experience with similar technology in the current ASET engine lineup it introduced to meet the original Oct. ’02 requirements. Mack President Paul Vikner said the company expects to have engines with its EGR-based EPA ’07 technology in field testing with selected customers in 2005.

Volvo also uses EGR to meet the current emissions standard, and said EGR and DPF will be used in North America on the new family of Volvo engines scheduled for introduction in the 2007 time frame. Its 2007 engines will use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, which will be in use in North America by then. Volvo plans to have about 30 engines in field testing with selected customers around the spring of 2005.

“2007 poses a formidable challenge in terms of emissions reductions, but we are confident our Volvo engines will not only provide cleaner air to breathe, but will continue to meet the very high demands our customers have for reliability, fuel economy and performance,” said Peter Karlsten, Volvo president and CEO.

EGR systems accomplish emissions reduction by returning a portion of exhaust gases back into the engine’s combustion cycle. The recirculated exhaust serves to reduce combustion temperature, which retards the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the engine’s operations.