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| | CHDV | 2007 CHDV Proceeding Order Form | Conference Report | |
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Cutting our climate impact - reducing carbon - will become one of the key drivers of the heavy-duty vehicle segment in the years ahead. That was one of the key takeaways from this year's Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Conference, the seventh annual gathering of the world's leading manufacturers, suppliers, users and policy-makers in medium and heavy vehicles.
Perhaps directly as a result, the level of activity and innovation in the industry is at its highest point in years. Indeed, one industry speaker noted that the last five years of development exceeded all the work of the previous 30 years. |
 OEM Roundtable - (l-r) Anthony Greszler, Volvo Powertrain (at podium); Dr. Wayne Eckerle, Cummins Engine; Tom Stover, Eaton Corporation; Dr. Masatoshi Shimoda, Hino Motors; Graham Williams, Westport Innovations; Dr. Michael Readey, Caterpillar; Alan Karkkainen, International Truck & Engine |
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The message from truck and engine makers was clear: once they meet EPA's 2010 emission standards - and tough as it is, all say they will meet the requirements - the next target is fuel efficiency. In the years following 2010, manufacturers say they will focus a significant portion of their resources on reducing fuel use in their vehicles, using strategies ranging from advanced combustion, to more highly-integrated power trains to waste heat recovery to hybrids. There were specific projections that diesel-powered trucks could reach fifty percent thermal efficiency - up from the low 40 percent range today. Diesel power train makers see an advantage for themselves once they can meet and get past 2010 emissions reductions.
What's driving efficiency? Clearly, high fuel prices are a key consideration. While no one projected specific prices, most manufacturers see long term increases in petroleum-based fuels. They need to increase fuel efficiency to keep up with customer demand. Burning less fossil fuel also means cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. And while no manufacturer admitted it thought there would be regulations on GHGs, it was clear they see the need to reduce global warming emissions as critical. As a result, manufacturers also say they expect an increasing array of lower carbon fuels, including bio-based and synthetic fuels. This need for different fuels, particularly non petroleum and renewable, was another takeaway from the conference. In addition to blended fuels, such as bio- and renewable diesel, there was a renewed emphasis on natural gas, particularly in highly impacted port applications. Many attendees were surprised by the amount of incentives and investment taking place to clean up port-related transport, much of it focused on natural gas. Natural gas engines that will meet 2010 standards by mid-2007 were highlighted, as well as systems that prove the thermal efficiency of diesel at a reduction in greenhouse gas impact. Despite the significant milestone of 2010 being near, one final takeaway from this year's conference is that the problem of urban emissions is not going away. While there was a sense from some in industry that the 2007/2010 engine standards represent the peak of regulation, emissions in the most polluted regions of the nation and the world remain as significant barriers. Emission reductions are not always keeping pace with the steady increase in miles traveled, congestion, population growth and other factors. In addition to this, emerging concerns, such as those over very small particulates in exhaust, mean that the era of regulation clearly may not end at 2010. However, the era after 2010 promises to be an exciting one, focused on power train efficiency, hybrids, new energy systems and new fuels. Would you like a copy of the conference proceedings? Attendees receive them as part of registration and they will be mailed within a month of the conference. They are also available for those who missed the meeting by clicking on the link below. |
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Sample Presentations: Westport Innovations (  , 1.3MB) Bridging the Gap Between Meeting Engine Standards and Meeting Health Standards ( , 1.5MB) New Opportunities for Clean and Energy Efficient Heavy-Duty Vehicles ( , 1.9MB) |
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| Order your proceedings CD today! | |
| | CHDV | 2007 CHDV Proceeding Order Form | Conference Report | |
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