Isuzu Diesels to employ Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to meet the strict 2010 Emissions Requirements

Emissions standards are only going to get tougher – particularly as they relate to diesel engines. As we have reported in the last few issues, Isuzu is one of the leaders in “green” technology – and now, with the new, more stringent 2010 emissions standards on the horizon, the good news is that future models will use Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to meet these new standards.

In addition, your customers will find that SCR technology is not only good for the environment, it’s also good for their business. Here’s why:

• The system works downstream on the exhaust – injecting Diesel Exhaust Fluid into the exhaust, which creates a chemical reaction to reduce nitrogen in the exhaust.
• Because this system is not part of the engine, it allows the engine to stay focused on producing efficient power and torque, which can improve fuel efficiency and reduce the cost of operations – initial results show SCR has the potential to improve fuel economy by 3 – 5%.
• SCR allows owners to continue using diesel powerplants rather than gas.

Here’s how SCR works:

• SCR injects Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) into the hot exhaust system where it converts NOx emissions into pure nitrogen and water vapor – two natural components of the air we breathe.
• DEF is made of purified water and 32.5 percent automotive-grade urea that is used as a carrying agent for the ammonia – it’s a stable, non-toxic, odorless and completely safe solution.
• DEF will be conveniently available at truck stops as well as packaged for emergency and top-off supply by 2010.

In addition, here are some of the environmental benefits of SCR technology:

• It reduces NOx emissions by up to 90%.
• Hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions will be reduced by 50 – 90%.
• Particulate matter (PM) emissions reduced by 30 – 50%.

FYI: When the 2010 EPA standards go into effect, no heavy-duty diesel engine can emit NOx levels higher than .2 g/bhp-hr (grams per brake horsepower-hour), which is a standard more stringent than any in place in Europe. SCR is the only technology to date that has proven to be able to meet this standard.

“Isuzu has been developing this technology in Japan for many years. We’ve studied different systems and found SCR to be reliable under even the most extreme applications and conditions. This is just another great example of how Isuzu leads the way in this market,” said Shaun Skinner, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America.

Lower Speed, less rapid acceleration & deceleration will improve fuel economy.

• Reduce vehicle highway speed
• Maintain consistent highway speed
• Accelerate gradually from stops
• Limit use of exhaust brake
• Decelerate gradually using engine braking
• Reduce unnecessary idling

Used together, these fuel-conscious driving tips can translate into substantial savings for your business. In fact, tests have shown that a single truck averaging 35,000 miles annually could reduce fuel consumption by over 1,200 gallons per year by implementing these techniques.

At $4 per gallon, this would translate into a savings of $4,800 per truck. For a fleet of 50 trucks, it means a savings of $240,000 per year!

Stress the importance of these driving techniques to your drivers and motivate them to incorporate these techniques into their everyday driving habits.

Proven Techniques from Isuzu’s Fuel Economy Challenge And Vehicle Health Reports That Can Produce Dramatic Fuel Savings.

With today’s skyrocketing fuel bills, Isuzu truck owners can achieve dramatic savings by implementing driving practices from the Isuzu Fuel Economy Challenge. The Isuzu Fuel Economy Challenge teaches how drivers can dramatically improve their fuel economy with hands on training and classroom teaching. JUST REDUCING FUEL CONSUMPTION 10% TRANSLATES TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SAVINGS EACH YEAR PER TRUCK!

Driving Speed

When traveling on a highway, drivers can improve their fuel economy by 12% or more each time speed is reduced between 5 to 10 miles per hour.

Acceleration

From a full stop, drivers should gradually depress the accelerator pedal, allowing the transmission to shift into the next gear. This can dramatically reduce fuel consumption in stop-and-go situations.

Maintaining a consistent highway speed is another way to increase fuel economy. By keeping an adequate distance between your truck and the next vehicle, your drivers can reduce the need for frequent acceleration and deceleration, which increases fuel consumption.

Deceleration

How your drivers use engine braking and the exhaust brake can have a noticeable effect on fuel consumption. To increase your truck’s fuel economy, set the exhaust brake to OFF and plan your decelerations in advance, whenever possible.

Using engine braking alone requires a longer distance to slow the truck, but does not consume fuel. Using the exhaust brake together with engine braking shortens the braking distance, but also increases fuel consumption.

Drivers should always use their best judgment to utilize the most effective and safe method of braking, based on road grade, vehicle load and other road conditions.

Idling

Your drivers may be getting out of their trucks frequently, and idling may seem like a good idea. However, engine idling, especially if the air conditioning is left on, negatively affects fuel economy and is very costly.

Ask your drivers to cut unnecessary idling at service stations, making pick-ups & deliveries, and at other destinations.

Isuzu's Fuel Economy Challenge

By Tim Jackson, Tow Times, November 2008

The Isuzu Fuel Economy Challenge was the primary objective of an Isuzu Motors Limited and Isuzu Commercial Truck of America U.S. press tour held September 24-28. Tow Times and other trade magazine media were brought to Japan as guests of Isuzu to learn more about Isuzu's global strength in commercial vehicles and diesel engines and, through the Fuel Economy Challenge, participate in a hands-on demonstration of their worldwide initiative to help Isuzu fleet customers improve fuel economy.

The tour began with departure from Los Angeles International Airport and arrival at the Narita International Airport, 37 miles from downtown Tokyo. The following day included a tour of Isuzu's Fujisawa manufacturing plant for a look at how Isuzu trucks are built using the strict Isuzu Manufacturing Management (IMM) quality control system. Also highlighted was the kit delivery system, in which small robots transport carts, or "kits" that contain parts needed for chassis cabs on the assembly line, providing workers with the assembly components quickly and easily. The rolling kits have increased efficiency - decreasing the worker's need to walk to parts shelves by 60 percent - and eliminated much of the clutter of shelving along assembly lines.

Media guests were then taken to Isuzu's Tokyo headquarters for a press briefing with Isuzu President Susumu Hosoi and key executives from Isuzu Motors Limited and Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. The briefing outlined Isuzu's global strategies regarding fuel efficiency and emissions regulations, coping with rising manufacturing costs and its goal of global environment preservation.

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US Focus

By David A. Kolman, Refrigerated Transporter, November 2008

A Global Leader in commercial vehicles and diesel engines, Isuzu Motors is devoting more time and attention to the US marketplace. The core strategy is to grow its presence by offering products that provide improved fuel economy and environmental protection.

The Tokyo-based manufacturer is looking to boost the volume of products, especially its N Series trucks, and is broadening the current US product lineup, expanding truck models to other applications, said company president Susumu “Jack” Hosoi. Among other things, it is lengthening wheelbases and offering additional body and equipment packages up to 24 feet in length.

Consideration is being given to bringing more light duty truck models to the US and to developing a Sprinter-like vehicle for the US market, possibly through collaboration with another vehicle manufacturer.

At present, Isuzu Motors has no plans to offer its hybrid and CNG light duty vehicles in the North American market, Hosoi said. Nor does it intend to make available heavy duty truck models any time soon. However, it is investigating the viability of joining forces with a North American heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer.

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