Japanese Emission-Control Technologies Being Fine-Tuned for 2005 Standards

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OKYO — Several Japanese truck makers used the venue of the 38th Tokyo Motor Show here Nov. 2-5 to showcase emission-control systems they will use to meet the next round of heavy-duty diesel-engine emission standards, which are set to take effect next October.

The October 2005 long-term emission standards will require Japanese heavy trucks — 16,000 pounds gross vehicle weight and heavier — to emit no more than 1.49 grams per brake horsepower hour of nitrogen oxides and non-methane hydrocarbons and 0.020 grams of particulate matter.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s current standards set heavy-duty diesel-exhaust emission levels at 2.5 grams of NOx and 0.099 grams of particulate matter — or soot. In January 2007 the U.S. levels are to drop to 0.199 grams for NOx and 0.009 grams for soot, both lower than the 2005 Japanese standards.

For the full story, see the Dec. 6 edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.