Skip to main content

New clean diesel cars and light trucks to ‘help US achieve greenhouse gas reductions’

Advances in emissions control technology in clean diesel passenger cars and light duty pickup trucks will have a positive effect on efforts to reduce future Greenhouse Gas Emissions, according to the federal government’s newly-released Draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR). The Draft TAR, which covers vehicle model years 2022-2025, confirms that automotive manufacturers are introducing new technology to market at a rapid pace, and predicts that the MY 2022-2025 standards are achievable with a wide ran
July 25, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Advances in emissions control technology in clean diesel passenger cars and light duty pickup trucks will have a positive effect on efforts to reduce future Greenhouse Gas Emissions, according to the federal government’s newly-released Draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR).
 
The Draft TAR, which covers vehicle model years 2022-2025, confirms that automotive manufacturers are introducing new technology to market at a rapid pace, and predicts that the MY 2022-2025 standards are achievable with a wide range of technologies.

According to a mid-term evaluation by the 324 US Department of Transportation (DOT), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the California Air Resource Board (CARB), despite recent EPA and California ARB compliance actions with respect to light-duty diesel NOx emissions, diesel engines remain a technology for the reduction of GHG emissions from light-duty vehicles. Advances in NOx and PM emissions control technology are bringing light duty diesels fully into compliance with Federal Tier 3 and California LEV III emissions standards at a cost that is competitive with the cost-effectiveness of other high efficiency, advanced engine technologies.
 
The Draft TAR states that diesel engines are continuing to evolve using technologies similar to those being introduced in new light-duty gasoline engines and heavy-duty diesel truck engines, including the use of advanced friction reduction measures, increased turbocharger boosting and engine downsizing and the improved integration of exhaust emissions control systems for criteria pollutant control, among others.
 
According to the Draft TAR, the best Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) - a measure of energy efficiency - of advanced diesel engines under development for light duty applications is now 46 percent and thus is approaching that of heavy-duty diesel truck engines.  In contrast, gasoline engines today achieve around 37 per cent.
 
The draft report also summarises the results of commissioned research surveying auto reviews of advanced fuel economy technologies.  Three-out-of-four auto writers and auto analysts report a favourable rating for diesel technology concerning consumer acceptance, which was among the highest rated powertrains.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Euro NCAP to drive adoption of AEB systems for safer cars in Europe
    June 14, 2012
    Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) has published the results of its survey on the availability of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems in Europe and reveals that its vehicle safety rating assessment programme will include AEB technologies in its star rating from 2014. Real world performance data suggests AEB systems can reduce accidents by up to 27 per cent. Although the introduction of these active safety technologies is reducing road deaths and injuries, the availability of AEB in Europe is fa
  • Asia-Pacific & Europe dominate Smart City Index 2023
    April 13, 2023
    New York is highest-ranked US city (22nd) with Cairo the leading African city (108th)
  • London council to trial diesel-based parking surcharge
    January 30, 2017
    As part of its drive to create a greener, healthier city, Westminster City Council in London is set to trial emissions-based charging for diesel cars parking within Marylebone. In a pilot programme to be introduced from 3 April 2017, the charge for pay-to-park bays during normal parking hours will be raised specifically within F zone for diesel cars, some of the heaviest of polluting vehicles. This will apply to visitors into Marylebone, with resident permits remaining unchanged. The surcharge will ad
  • Funding boost to cut pollution from local buses
    August 30, 2013
    Towns and cities in England are set to benefit from US$7.7 million of funding to reduce pollution from local buses, Local Transport Minister Norman Baker has announced. A total of eleven local authorities have been awarded grants from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Clean Bus Technology Fund, which will allow almost 400 buses to be upgraded.