Mack, Volvo: Talk of delay for 2010 diesel regs 'misleading'
Mack has developed a special web site that includes a discussion forum called “Talking SCR” to help customers learn more about “an already widely utilized and accepted global technology.”
The Trucker News Services
12/17/2008
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., and GREENSBORO, N.C. — Officials at Mack Trucks Inc. and Volvo Trucks North America, both part of the Volvo Group, said they welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent affirmation of its intention to implement the 2010 diesel emissions regulations as planned.
“The development and testing of Mack’s SCR solution for 2010 is in advanced stages and we are confident in our engines’ enhanced performance, emission reduction and fuel savings,” Mack president and CEO Dennis Slagle said. “We found the recent dialogue around the proposal to delay implementation of 2010 to be an unproductive distraction and often misleading. We are anxious to reach out and provide customers with as much information as possible about SCR.”
Slagle said for that reason, Mack had developed a special web site (www.mackscr.com) that includes a discussion forum called “Talking SCR” to help customers learn more about “an already widely utilized and accepted global technology.”
Mack specifically addressed questions about the performance of SCR in very warm or cold regions.
“It’s already being successfully used around the world by hundreds of thousands of trucks every day, including those in extreme operating conditions,” Slagle said. “And it clearly works here in North America, as our test trucks have been demonstrating.”
Volvo Trucks issued a similar statement.
“EPA has clearly stated that it has no intention of changing the 2010 timetable, and it’s counter-productive and misleading to suggest that the agency might change its mind in the 11th hour,” Per Carlsson, president and CEO of Volvo Trucks North America, said. “Our focus should be on moving forward, making the industry’s transition to 2010 as smooth, efficient and uneventful as possible. That’s the only way to provide a significant benefit both to customers and the environment.”
Carlsson said Volvo Trucks was fully prepared to meet the regulations on time.
“Beyond allowing us to deliver the cleanest diesel engines in the world, our proven SCR technology will provide customers with significantly improved fuel economy,” Carlsson said.
The EPA’s commitment to the existing timetable is also important in safeguarding the development of a distribution network for the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) used in SCR. A broad industry coalition has been hard at work to establish this infrastructure, and significant investments have already been made in building this network and supplying it with necessary distribution equipment, Volvo said.
Mack also countered claims that DEF would be extremely expensive. Recent industry forums have placed the cost of a gallon of DEF at around $2.70, and Mack estimates only two or three gallons of DEF will be needed per every 100 gallons of diesel consumed.
Lyndon Finney of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at editor@thetrucker.com.