What You Need to Know About Diesel Truck Emission Standards

Diesel truck operators are no strangers to staying in compliance with numerous regulations. From monitoring and staying within the hours-of-service regulations to the many safety regulations regarding cargo securement and qualifications, there are plenty of areas that deserve careful consideration, but one of the most important involves emissions standards.

The first Clean Air Act went into effect in 1963. By 1974, federal regulation on diesel engines began to help control pollutants. And now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will fine engine manufacturers that failed to comply with stricter regulations.

As the environmental impact of fossil fuel emissions has become more severe, so too have the regulations, as in 2007 and 2010, new limits were put into place, regulating sulfur content in on-highway diesel fuel.

Talking About Tiers
The EPA has set up different diesel emissions tiers, which go as follows:

• Tier 1
  Implemented in 1996, this tier focuses on limiting nitrogen oxide gas on diesel engines over 50 horsepower. The goal was to hit a 27% reduction by 2010 and then 37% by 2025.
• Tier 2 and 3
  These tiers focus on reducing carbon monoxide gas, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide, as well as particulate matter. Tier 2 covers engines made between 2001 and 2005, while Tier 3 covers engines from 50 to 750 horsepower.
• Tier 4
  Set to make an impact between 2008 and 2015, Tier 4 focuses on a 90% reduction in nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. This ushered in the ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.

Diesel Truck Emissions Best Practices
Diesel trucks are massive producers of nitrogen oxide and fine particular matter, so it’s important for drivers to do everything they can to limit these emissions. It can be as simple as limiting idle time, which has the benefit of reducing fuel consumption, or driving more smoothly, such as avoiding aggressive driving and rapid acceleration or hard braking.
The following are more tips for limiting emissions:

• Regular Maintenance
  By routinely having your engine checked by a professional, which could include everything from fuel system cleaning to oil changes, air filter replacement to inspections for exhaust system leaks or damage, you can stay on top of minor issues and prevent them from becoming major ones.
• Device Installation
  A diesel particulate filter (DPF) will help to cut down on the amount of fine particulate that is exhausted. Be sure to have it changed regularly for maximum filtering capability. A selective catalytic converter relies on diesel exhaust fluid, so check these levels to ensure the system is working and can filter nitrogen oxide.
• Additive Use
  While using low-sulfur diesel is a great way to limit emissions, you can also utilize fuel additives, which are made to improve combustion efficiency while simultaneously reducing emissions.

Seek Out a Professional
At Gray Diesel & Equipment Services, we can assist you in reaching your emissions goals. As a provider of best-in-class maintenance services, we’ll help take the stress and worry out of all things related to emissions regulations, and we can also ensure that your trucks are in top working order.