Let's Stay the Course on Clean Diesel: Progress Is Being Made

A lot of Americans are unaware of how much progress has been made in terms of eliminating pollutants like nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Did you know that the new diesel trucks are so clean that it would take 60 of today's new generation diesels to equal the emissions from one truck sold in 1988? New technology diesel engines and the increased use of biobased diesel have contributed to noteworthy carbon reduction and clean air gains. 

All this has been documented, according to a recent Earth Day announcement from the Diesel Technology Forum. "Today, diesel remains the dominant technology in long-haul trucking, powering 97 percent of Class 8 big-rig trucks in the United States. A growing percentage of diesel-powered commercial trucks rely on the newest-generation diesel technologies, which deliver near-zero emissions performance while using less fuel."

The announcement begins by acknowledging the new emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling the climate challenge. To do this requires thinking through solutions and timetables that are customized to the realities of our time. Timetables have to correspond. But progress has already been extensive.

Today, more than 43 percent of commercial Class 3-8 vehicles utilize the newest generation technology (2011 and newer model years), up 6.8 percent over 2017. Since 2011, these nearly 5 million new-generation commercial diesel trucks "have already delivered reductions of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide (CO2)) in an amount equivalent to eliminating 26 million light-duty vehicles from the fleet or converting those to all electric vehicles." In other words, more than 18 million tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 126 million tons of CO2 have been removed.  

In short, tremendous progress has been made, and there's more to come.

Furthermore, in addition to the reduction in greenhouse gases, the advances in diesel technology have produced significant gains in fuel economy. From 2014 to 2018 530 million barrels of oil were saved in Phase 1, according to the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Phase 2 rules will save nearly 2 billion barrels of oil from now till 2027.

 As diesel technology evolves, the four trends are defining the direction advances will take. First, increasing energy efficiency. Second, achieving low emissions. Third, expanding the use of renewable biodiesel fuels. And fourth, hybridization. We live in a world which depends on the transportation of goods. To effectively do this while meeting tomorrow's climate and clean air challenges will require continued innovation and efforts in trucking, marine, agriculture, construction and freight rail applications.

The steady progress in carbon reduction and clean air gains has been somewhat remarkable. It has also been fairly unheralded. This is why the Diesel Technology Forum strives to get the word out and works hard to increase awareness of its mission. 

Read the full Earth Day announcement here:  
ACCELERATING TURNOVER TO NEW TECHNOLOGY DIESEL ENGINES, INCREASED USE OF BIOBASED DIESEL FUELS ENSURE STEADY PROGRESS ON CARBON REDUCTION, CLEAN AIR GAINS 

Cool Story About Innovation, Diesel Engines and Real World Problem Solving

Here's something you don't see every day. It's called a Fat Truck by Zeal Motor, Inc. The story by Chad Elmore of how this versatile mobile power plant came into existence is a very good read. It was published in the December issue of Diesel Progress and titled Fat Truck uses Cat diesel power to go anywhere it wants.

Whether it's and ad agency executive coming up with a creative solution for a new campaign or R&D technologists creating a new product, the process for coming up with new ideas is similar. to that spelled out in James Young's classic, A Technique for Producing Ideas. Young explains that “knowledge is basic to good creative thinking,” but that this is not enough. Rather, “knowledge must be digested and eventually emerge in the form of fresh, new combinations and relationships.” And what constitutes an "idea" you may ask. According to Vilfredo Pareto "an idea is nothing more nor less than a new combination of old elements." 

This is exactly what the Fat Truck is. Or as Chad Elmore describes it, an innovative use of horsepower.

Here's the problem Zeal Motor sought to find a solution for. Power lines, wind farms, telecommunications towers and pipelines are seldom located where there's easy access. The businesses and utilities companies that own and maintain them need to be able to transport people and equipment to these locations. Pickups, side-by-sides and school buses have their limitations. Would it be possible to design something suited for these near impossible situations?

This is how the Fat Truck came to be. 

Elmore begins his story with the testimony of one of Zeal's customers:

 

A customer of Zeal Motor recently told co-founder Amine Khimjee that their new industrial off-road utility vehicle saved him $10,000 a day. Khimjee was riding with that customer in Minnesota as they inspected power lines that ran above swamp forests far from any roads. The customer explained the flooded areas they were crossing usually required a helicopter that cost thousands of dollars to put in the air. The added benefit to the Zeal Motor’s Fat Truck, he said, was that they could also bring a crew and tools.

Khimjee had enough experience and enough connections with major OEMs to believe they could find a solution to the accessibility problem. Partnering with Maxim O’Shaughnessy and Benoit Marleau, "the team launched its first product, the Fat Truck 2.8 C, in January 2019. With tires 5 ft. high, a nearly imperceptible wheelbase and a maximum speed of 25 mph, the amphibious truck can hold up to eight people inside its ROPS-certified cabin. Or it can be outfitted to carry equipment such as a welder or generator thanks to its 2200 lb payload rating."

They weren't designing "just another pickup." The Fat Truck was purpose built, picking up where the pickup stops.

What caught our eye was beefy diesel power plant they chose to install. With help from Toromont, the Cat dealer for Eastern Canada, a mid-mounted Cat C.2.2 turbocharged diesel, a Tier 4 final 2.2 L four-cylinder engine was installed and insulated against noise, heat and water. Elmore details the impressive specifics of the complicated engineering involved. The collaboration has produced a superb result. 

If you go to the Zeal Motor website, you'll see just how many crazy environments these vehicles need to operate in. Transporting equipment as well as people is no easy task in swamps or rugged terrain in treacherous winters and torrential summers.

 

Early in the article Elmore compares the vehicle to radio-control model. The driver even operates it with a joystick. Almost seems like the engineers who designed the Fat Truck are still kids trying to see just how much fun they can have. 

 

You can read the full story here:
https://www.dieselprogress.com/news/Fat-Truck-uses-Cat-diesel-power-to-go-anywhere-it-wants/8009672.article

Here's a gallery of photos showing its application versatility:  

https://www.fattruck.com/gallery.php#options

It's Time to Sign Up for the October 20 Diesel Progress Summit

It's virtual. It's informative. It's Free.

On October 20 there’s a Diesel Progress world summit for industry professionals. Machinery and vehicle OEMs, equipment owners, engine manufacturers and distributors, and component and powertrain suppliers. As they do every year, they will highlight key developments in diesel technology as well as innovations in new power sources, including electrification. Especially important updates on regulatory issues regarding engine emissions will also be shared.

One benefit of virtual events is that you can attend from anywhere in the world with no transportation costs, no hotels, no expensive meals. It’s all about industry information, so no need to get concerned about a dress code.

Yes, most of us miss the networking opportunities live events generate, but the folks at Diesel Progress say they have devised a way for us to meet with others during this event. We’re finding new ways to do business in these new, most unusual times.

The speakers in this year’s summit will be James Kamsickas, Chairman and CEO of Dana Inc. (Keynote), Bill Robertson from the California Air Resources Board, Jeff Coad and Dave Schulenberg from Briggs & Stratton, and Andy Noble of Ricardo Japan.

As is their custom, Diesel Progress Award-winners will be revealed during the event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A REGISTRATION LINK

VISIT

 https://dieselprogress.com/