San Diego Union Tribune: Diesels getting dinged

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Diesels getting dinged

New limits on tailpipe emissions are expected to jack up truck prices

By Mark Maynard
STAFF WRITER

April 1, 2006

A new diesel exhaust emission standard that goes into effect Jan. 1 will help clear the air, but at a significant cost to diesel-driving consumers and commercial truckers.

Limits on tailpipe emissions of nitrogen oxides and soot will be tightened by 90 percent over the current national standard. And the standard will increase again in 2010, with another round of equipment expected to be added to engines to further treat pollutants.

Diesel engines for 2007 heavy-duty pickups and larger trucks are being adapted to run on ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, which goes on sale in California in September and the rest of the country by mid-October. The added cost of emissions equipment could range from $2,000 to $5,000 per vehicle for diesel pickups, vans and medium-duty work trucks, according to a document distributed by General Motor to its dealers. Those costs are in addition to the higher retail price of the diesel engine, which can add as much as $6,000, depending on manufacturer.


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Those added treatment systems are expected to cause a 4 percent loss of fuel efficiency, according to the Energy Information Administration. However, technological improvements are expected offset the loss by 2015.

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Diesel engines are preferred for their reputation of long life, improved fuel economy over a gasoline engine and the power to tow 12,000-pound travel trailers and recreational vehicles. But much of that advantage will be lost with the higher vehicle prices and the higher cost of fuel. In the San Diego area, diesel fuel costs about the same as premium unleaded gasoline.

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The so-called green diesel engines use high-pressure direct injection systems and fine-tuned electronic fuel metering to control smoke and soot. The engines are designed to run on the new cleaner ultra-low sulfur diesel. The diesel particulate filter, or diffuser, collects soot by circulating exhaust gases through a series of ceramic honeycomb channels where the soot is trapped.

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Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060401/news_1b1diesels.html

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. The untold story:

A trucker friend of mine says that owner-operators are talking strike.

[Ammonium]

2. It's all in the makeup of the diesel

If the government would require the fuel companies to produce low sulfur diesel this wouldn't be an issue. It was suppose to go into effect this year but I doubt that actually happens. The low sulfur diesel is more expensive to produce and thus costs more so the government doesn't force the energy companies to make it. Figures...

Friend of mine's 05 Volkswagen TDI, which uses direct port injection, can pass emissions under gasoline standards.

[newyawker99]

3. Hi Ammonium!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: