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Marketing & Supply Clean Diesel Trucks With Near Zero Emissions Make Up 28 Percent of All Trucks on U.S. Highways DEF Market Update T he Diesel Technology Forum has just released a survey that should be encouraging news to marketers and retailers looking at expanding their diesel exhaust fluid options for their diesel customers. The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to raising awareness about the economic importance and essential uses of diesel engines, highlighting the continuous improvements to reduce emissions from new and existing diesel engines, and leading the way for future clean diesel technology in all applications. According to the data, compiled by R.L. Polk and Company, more than 28 percent of all trucks registered in the United States – 2.5 million of 8.6 million trucks - are now equipped with advanced new technology clean diesel engines. The vast majority of these engines use selective catalytic reduction technology which requires diesel exhaust fluid and that will become practically universal in the near future. The competing technology, exhaust gas recirculation, was used by Navistar as the only holdout among major engine manufacturers since the new engines were required in 2010. Its technology was not able to meet USEPA standards leading to fines, and the eventual switch to SCR technology in 2012. It also did not help that while EGR technology reduced fuel economy SCR was seen to provide an increase in efficiency up to 7 percent. The Polk data includes registration information on Class 3-8 trucks from 2007 through 2012 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Here is a summary of the information as provided by the Diesel Technology Forum: "The fact that more than 28 percent of all trucks on U.S. roads today are new technology diesel engines with near zero emissions is significant for the environment and the trucking industry," said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "More than 95 percent of all heavyduty trucks are diesel-powered, as are a www.npnweb.com n NPN Magazine majority of medium-duty trucks. Diesel power is the driving force today of goods movement by truck in our economy and they are continuing to play a central role of the United States' new effort to reduce fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years. "These increasing penetration rates are a reflection of the confidence that truckers have in the new technology diesel engines, particularly during the last few years which have been a recessionary period with lower demand for trucking services," Schaeffer said. Regionally, the Midwest (740,937 trucks or 31%) has the highest percent of new diesel trucks, followed by the South (935,425 trucks or 29.8%), the Northeast (353,875 trucks or 29.1%), and the West (489,615 trucks or 26.0%). New Technology Diesel Engines & Fuel Have Reduced NOx By 99 Percent and PM By 98 Percent "Emissions from today's diesel trucks and buses are near zero thanks to more efficient engines, more effective emissions control technology and the nationwide availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. The new clean diesel technology has reduced emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses by 99 percent for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 98 percent for particulate emissions. "What makes the new diesel technology even more remarkable is model year 2010 and later trucks are experiencing an average of three to five percent improvement in fuel economy. Additional fuel-saving strategies are being developed to improve engine efficiency, vehicle aerodynamics and expanded application of hybrid technology. "In addition, new diesel technology and ultra-low sulfur diesel are benefitting many of the older diesel trucks built before 2007. Through the use of retrofit upgrades, older diesel engines can improve their perfor- mance and reduce key emissions by up to 90 percent," Schaeffer said. Top 10 New Technology Diesel Trucks States by 2012 Total 1) Texas 286,045 2) Indiana 169,509 3) California 168,965 4) Illinois 115,125 5) Pennsylvania 113,020 6) New York 97,073 7) Florida 91,672 8) Ohio 88,671 9) North Carolina 72,286 10) Georgia 71,136 Top 10 New Technology Diesel Trucks States by 2012 Percentage 1) Indiana 44.0% 2) Utah 43.0% 3) Oklahoma 37.0% 4) Wyoming 36.9% 5) Texas 36.6% 6) Nebraska 34.0% 7) Louisiana 33.1% 8) Maryland 32.9% 9) Pennsylvania 32.8% 10) Montana 32.7% Diesel Is the Overwhelming Power Source for the U.S. and International Economies "Diesel power moves more than 82 percent of all cargo in the U.S. and over 90 percent worldwide," Schaeffer said. "Diesel is the world's most efficient internal combustion engine. It provides more power and more fuel efficiency than alternatives such as gasoline, compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas. "Diesel also provides a unique technology platform suitable for expanded use of hybrid powertrains and lower-carbon renewable fuels - both strategies for reducing GHG emissions in the future." July/August 2013 11