The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is doing its part to combat the negative effects of traditional Diesel engines through a series of regulations that define maximum allowable emissions – and if necessary – fines for those who do not comply.
This chart shows that ever more strict regulations for the emission of Particulate Matter (PM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Non-Methane HydroCarbons (NMHC) are planned for the future.
Calendar Year
PM reduction (Thousand short tons)
CO reduction (Thousand short tons)
NOx reduction (Thousand short tons)
NMHC reduction (Thousand short tons)
2010
36
317
419
21
2015
61
691
1260
54
2020
82
982
1820
83
2030
109
1290
2570
115
(Source: EPA Report: Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards and Highway Diesel Fuel Sulfur Control Requirements)
The costs of non-compliance How many manufacturers of heavy-duty Diesel engines are currently in compliance with the upcoming standards? Zero. In an attempt to bring their existing engine technologies into compliance, manufacturers spend millions of dollars in development costs for after treatment fixes (filters, converters). These after treatments reduce engine reliability, efficiency and profitability. The ARB (California Air Resource Board) estimates that the total cost of compliance to affected trucking fleets will be between $3 billion and $3.4 billion (in 2006 dollars), spread over the years 2009 to 2030. The majority of costs are anticipated to occur between 2010 and 2021. (Source: Construction WebLinks http://www.constructionweblinks.com/Resources/Industry_Reports__Newsletters/Aug_27_2007/cali.html)
Manufacturers whose engines do not meet EPA emissions standards are paying steep fines. To date, fines have ranged from $3,600 to $12,000 per engine. In 2012, fines are scheduled to be raised to $35,000 for each engine shipped that does not comply with the new standards. This is more than the sales price of most engines, and is clearly not a sustainable business model.
The cost of fines, retooling, and manufacturing additional parts hurts the manufacturers’ bottom line, so they raise prices to compensate for the losses. Manufacturers, consumers and the environment – each pays a steep price for emissions non-compliance.
An economical and environmental solution The Zajac engine’s Complete Combustion process produces virtually no pollutants, and therefore has emissions that are well below the EPA’s standards for 2016 and beyond without the use of any additional costly after-treatments. Because of this advanced technology, manufacturers’ profits improve, end users pay less, and the environment realizes a positive impact. Now that’s a win-win-win solution.
