Powering ahead
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As Scania launches two Euro-6 engines, talk shifts away from price hikes and weight penalties towards incentives and fuel economy to allay fears that being greener won’t cost more at the pumps
Words: Kevin Swallow
The first commercially available road-going Euro-6 engines have been launched by Scania. Both the 440 and 480, available from the 12.7-litre engine, come with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) combined. Sales start at the end of May 2011, with Switzerland the irst market to beneit.
Although the Euro-6 deadline isn’t until 31 December 2013, truck manufacturers do not want to be building countless Euro-5 trucks to meet the demands of a wary road transport industry.
There are genuine fears, however, that Euro-6 sales in 2014 could bring another nosedive, which truck manufacturers cannot afford – especially when the likes of Scania reveal that developing Euro-6 has cost twice as much as engineering Euro-3 technology.
Truck operators already know that choosing Euro-6 with Scania will cost an extra €12,000 (approximately £10,700) and 200kg more than its Euro-5 equivalent. While operators expect larger capital costs and heavier engines, the most important question remains fuel economy, the single biggest cost for any operator.
Scania has moved to allay fears of rising fuel consumption with the latest technology, claiming Euro-6 fuel economy will be the same as Euro-5. Although there are no concrete igures to back this up, Scania is willing to go on record.
Green technology
Martin Lundstedt, executive vice-president of sales and marketing, says the new engines are designed to give the same performance and fuel economy as its Euro-5 counterparts.
He says the launch of two new 12.7-litre engines, at 434 and 473hp respectively, give operators the opportunity to invest in the greenest technology available. “They will be able to beneit from lower motorway charges and other incentives that may be introduced by authorities,” he says.
“Vehicles with the latest emission standard command a higher value in the second-hand market,” he adds.
Fuel economy, as well as depreciation and future residual values, can only be answered in time, so the next important issue is government-backed incentives. A UK government spokesman says there will be an incentive to operators for the early take-up of Euro-6 vehicles, which will be led by the Treasury, but details of the scheme are yet to be conirmed.
Switzerland already employs a strict environmental policy towards its road transport industry, and Euro-6 take up is expected. There is also a suggestion that France will consider making its toll network free for operators running Euro-6 engines.
Either way, the battle for hearts and minds begins here. Launching two new engines gives operators time to get to grips with the new technology – and Scania a chance to address any operational issues. ■