Truth is, when it comes to commercial trucks, Isuzu built trucks truly are environmentally friendly in many different areas.

This article discusses the trends in the industry, the latest “green” news, the technology that’s on the current Isuzu models, and ways you can ensure your existing fleet is environmentally friendly.

Industry Trends

Every company wants a public image as being concerned about the environment. That only makes sense, and one of the hottest topics is biodiesel. Three years ago, it was capturing headlines and appeared to be the ideal “fuel of tomorrow” (even though it’s been available in Europe for over 20 years). Today, biodiesel is gaining in popularity and is more readily available across the country.

We’ll cover some of the highlights of biodiesel, but if you want to learn more, please go to: www.biodiesel.org. This site even includes a map to help you find biodiesel retailers across the country.

So what is biodiesel and what makes it so special? First, as the name implies, it is a fuel refined from biological sources rather than from petroleum sources. Biodiesel can be made from a variety of sources, like vegetable oils (the most popular is soybean oil), recycled cooking grease (also known as yellow grease) or animal fat.

The biggest benefit is that biodiesel is a renewable resource. With petroleum, once all of it is pumped out of the ground – that’s it – it’s gone forever (or at least for a million or so years). With biodiesel, all you have to do is grow more vegetables or raise more animals.

Here are some numbers to put it into perspective:

• On the average, the U.S. consumes approximately 140 billion gallons of gasoline per year, more than any other country.
• We use 55 billion gallons of diesel annually.
  (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11303_7-6344788-2.html)
• In 2005, about 75 million gallons of biodiesel were produced, tripling the 25 million gallons produced in 2004.
• Biodiesel production reached approximately 300 million gallons in 2006, and is targeted to reach approximately 750 million gallons by year-end.
  (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/490962.html)
• In Europe, biodiesel represents 2% of total on-road transportation fuel consumption and is expected to reach 6% by 2010.
  (http://www.emerging-markets.com/biodiesel/press.htm)
• In the U.S., total biodiesel sales amount to less than 1/2 of 1% of all petro-diesel on-road consumption in 2006.
  http://www.emerging-markets.com/biodiesel/default.asp

The key points regarding biodiesel:

• It is made from products farmed here in the U.S.
• It is entirely American-made and refined.
• Biodiesel fuel is non-toxic and biodegradable.
• It reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
• It has the potential to be emissions-friendly.
• Biodiesel may be able to help commercial trucks meet the new, stricter emissions standards in the future.
• Even when blended with existing diesel fuel (B5 or B20), it reduces the amount of diesel fuel used in this country.
• Using B20 (20 percent biodiesel/80 percent petroleum diesel) reduces unburned hydrocarbons an average of 21 percent, reduced carbon monoxide by 11 percent, and decreases particulate emissions by 10 percent.

Isuzu’s 2009 truck line-up comes with a unique difference you can see. In fact, we actually call it the SEE technology. It stands for Safety, Economy and Environment. Because it drives the core of the engineering efforts, SEE enables us to bring you technically advanced and highly reliable products that perform equally well in your fleet and in our environment.

Safety. Isuzu trucks protect drivers with our stronger and quieter Hexapod cabs, which also offer reduced VOCs in the cabin. Panoramic windshields and side windows afford unsurpassed visibility. Plus Isuzu trucks’ legendary maneuverability helps drivers avoid problems in traffic and on job sites.

Economy. Isuzu is setting the pace to reduce the world’s dependence on oil by already meeting the 2015 fuel efficiency standard.

Environment. Isuzu engines have been proven to meet the needs of society and customers for super-clean power sources that reduce environmental impact. Isuzu engineers are well on their way to developing the next generation D-Core engines that will meet 2010 emissions standards.

For more information on how the Isuzu Truck SEE technology can make the difference in your fleet today and well into the future, contact your Isuzu truck dealer or visit isuzucv.com.

For 2007, the EPA lowered the limit for diesel fuel sulfur from 500 ppm (parts per million) to 15 ppm (that is one of the factors that is motivating the use of biodiesel). This new fuel adds 5˘ to 10˘ per gallon to fuel costs. Phase-in started almost a year ago (September 1, 2006) and will reach 100 percent participation by September 1, 2010.

• Low sulfur fuel has various benefits, like producing less PM from combustion, it enables NOx absorber technology to be highly effective, and it can have a positive effect on oil drain intervals.
• There are two fuels on the market. Use the correct fuel in your truck – in other words, only use the low sulfur fuel in 2007 diesel trucks. Low sulfur fuels can be used in any older diesel engines in your fleet, as well.

When it comes to oil:

• Low-ash oil is being utilized in these engines to extend the maintenance life of the filter. Only use engine oils labeled with the CJ-4 designation. Low-ash oils can be used in any older diesel engines in the customer’s fleet, as well.
• Isuzu engineers designed our emissions systems to work efficiently with these new fuels and lubricants in order to extend maintenance intervals while maintaining the lubricity capability of the lubricant.

Did you know that every 2007i and newer post-emissions Isuzu-built diesel engine vehicle is equipped standard with our exclusive Data Recording Module (DRM)? This is an industry first: to offer as standard equipment a device like our DRM that can monitor vehicle performance and usage data. While some engine manufacturers include this as a part of their engine monitoring system, our DRM records data from multiple areas of the vehicle. Isuzu’s vehicle operational data can be downloaded at the dealership and shared with you to help reduce operating costs and improve vehicle uptime.

The data recovery capabilities of the DRM are fully represented in the Vehicle Health Report that has been developed by Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. Information collected from the DRM and displayed in the Vehicle Health Report can be used by owners to reduce operating costs and improve the efficiency of their transportation assets. The date range of data is selected and the information stored within the DRM is displayed on the IDSS computer screen. The Health Report can then be printed and shared with you. The Health report is configured in an easy to read and understandable format.

Health Report Features:

• Simple Green/Yellow/Red report format warning indicators
• Fuel economy chart
• Vehicle speed chart
• Braking deceleration chart
• Engine coolant temperature chart
• Engine load chart
• DPF regeneration efficiency
• Power Take-off utilization chart
• Engine idle time chart

Health Report Benefits:

• Identifies driver patterns and trends
• Can help improve safety and driver performance
• Can compare vehicles within fleet to identify component or driver problems
• Increases used truck value by providing vehicle life history
• Improved vehicle diagnostics for reduced downtime

Isuzu 4H and 6H engines use an advanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system and a variable geometry turbocharger.

The EGR system recirculates a portion of an engine’s exhaust gas back to the engine cylinders. Intermixing the incoming air with recirculated exhaust gas dilutes the mix with inert gas, reducing the amount of excess oxygen.

Because NOx formation progresses much faster at high temperatures, EGR serves to limit the generation of NOx. One negative byproduct of EGR is an increase in particulate matter – but Isuzu trucks have tackled that challenge with the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).